But this particular breakfast was an exception.

For the first time since her husband's unfortunate death, Lady Holmhurst seemed to have entirely recovered her spirits and was her old self, and a very charming self it was, so charming, indeed, that even James forgot his learning and the responsibilities of his noble profession and talked, like an ordinary Christian.

Indeed, he even went so far as to pay her an elephantine compliment; but as it was three sentences long, and divided into points, it shall not be repeated here.
And then, at length, Dr.Probate rose to propose the bride's health; and very nicely he did it, as might have been expected from a man with his extraordinary familiarity with matrimonial affairs.

His speech was quite charming, and aptly sprinkled with classical quotations.
"I have often," he ended, "heard it advanced that all men are in reality equally favoured by the Fates in their passage through the world.

I have always doubted the truth of that assertion, and now I am convinced of its falsity.