He must be reminded of his proper place, or he will end by believing himself our equal." Claire tried to explain the magistrate's conduct: "He has been complaining all the evening, grandmamma; perhaps he is unwell." "And what if he is ?" exclaimed the old lady.

"Is it not his duty to exercise some self-denial, in return for the honour of our company?
I think I have already related to you the story of your granduncle, the Duke de St Hurluge, who, having been chosen to join the king's card party on their return from the chase, played all through the evening and lost with the best grace in the world two hundred and twenty pistoles.
All the assembly remarked his gaiety and his good humour.

On the following day only it was learned, that, during the hunt, he had fallen from his horse, and had sat at his majesty's card table with a broken rib.

Nobody made any remark, so perfectly natural did this act of ordinary politeness appear in those days.

This little Daburon, if he is unwell, would have given proof of his breeding by saying nothing about it, and remaining for my piquet.