to do justice to such perfection."

"Quiz away, my merry men," said Cruzon, "all I know is, that you are a
confoundedly envious set of fellows; and if so lovely a girl had thrown
her eyes on one amongst you__"

"Hip! hip! hurrah!" said old Fitzgerald, "Curzon is a gone man. He'll be
off to the palace for a license some fine morning, or I know nothing of
such matters."

"Well, Bat," said I, "if matters are really as you all say, why does not
Curzon take the part you destine for me?"

"We dare not trust him," said the Major, "Lord bless you, when the
call-boy would sing out for Captain Beaugarde in the second act, we'd
find that he had Levanted with our best slashed trowsers, and a bird of
paradise feather in his cap."

"Well," thought I, "this is better at least than I anticipated, for if
nothing else offers, I shall have rare fun teasing my friend Charley"
--for it was evident that he had been caught by the lady in question.

"And so you'll stay with us; give me your hand--you are a real trump."
These words, which proceeded from a voice at the lower end of the table,
were addressed to my friend Finucane.

"I'll stay with ye, upon my conscience," said Fin; "ye have a most
seductive way about ye; and a very superior taste in milk punch."

"But, Doctor," said I, "you must not be a drone in the hive; what will ye