and just as it is the case with that particular old Hock you youngsters
would disapprove of, and we cunning oldsters know to contain more virtues
in maturity than a nunnery of May-blooming virgins, just so the very
faults of a royal lady-royal by birth and in temper a termagant--impart a
perfume! a flavour! You must age; you must live in Courts, you must
sound the human bosom, rightly to appreciate it. She is a woman of the
most malicious fine wit imaginable.

She is a generous woman, a magnanimous woman; wear her chains and she
will not brain you with her club. She is the light, the centre of every
society where she appears, like what shall I say? like the moon in a
bowl of old Rhenish. And you will drain that bowl to the bottom to seize
her, as it were--catch a correct idea of her; ay, and your brains are
drowned in the attempt. Yes, Richie; I was aware of your residence at
Riversley. Were you reminded of your wandering dada on Valentine's day?
Come, my boy, we have each of us a thousand things to relate. I may be
dull--I do not understand what started you on your journey in search of
me. An impulse? An accident? Say, a directing angel! We rest our legs
here till evening, and then we sup. You will be astonished to hear that
you have dined. 'Tis the fashion with the Germans. I promise you good
wine shall make it up to you for the return to school-habits. We sup,
and we pack our scanty baggage, and we start tonight. Brook no insult at
Courts if you are of material value: if not, it is unreservedly a
question whether you like kickings.'

My father paused, yawned and stretched, to be rid of the remainder of his
aches and stiffness. Out of a great yawn he said:

'Dear lads, I have fallen into the custom of the country; I crave your
permission that I may smoke. Wander, if you choose, within hail of me,