liveried menials, all combined to produce a whole, which at the same
time was very striking, and "in remarkable good taste."

In process of time, Mr. Vivian Grey made his entrance. There were a few
vacant seats at the bottom of the table, "luckily for him," as kindly
remarked Mr. Grumbleton. To the astonishment and indignation, however,
of this worthy squire, the late comer passed by the unoccupied position,
and proceeded onward with undaunted coolness, until he came to about the
middle of the middle table, and which was nearly the best situation
in the Hall.

"Beautiful Cynthia," said Vivian Grey, softly and sweetly whispering in
Miss Courtown's ear, "I am sure you will give up your place to me; you
have nerve enough, you know, for anything, and would no more care for
standing out than I for sitting in." There is nothing like giving a
romp credit for a little boldness. To keep up her character she will
out-herod Herod.

"Oh! Grey, is it you? certainly, you shall have my place immediately;
but I am not sure that we cannot make room for you. Dormer Stanhope,
room must be made for Grey, or I shall leave the table immediately. You
men!" said the hoyden, turning round to a set of surrounding servants,
"push this form down and put a chair between."

The men obeyed. All who sat lower in the table on Miss Cynthia
Courtown's side than that lady, were suddenly propelled downwards about
the distance of two feet. Dr. Sly, who was flourishing a carving-knife
and fork, preparatory to dissecting a gorgeous haunch, had these fearful
instruments suddenly precipitated into a trifle, from whose sugared
trellis-work he found great difficulty in extricating them; while Miss