If I'd had to go to America it wouldn't have been so bad." At this weak-kneed confession the Baron could hardly withhold an exclamation of contempt, but Essington, with more sympathy, inquired-- "What do you propose to do, then ?" His lordship emptied his glass.
"I wish I had your brains and your way of carrying things off, Essington!" he said, with a sigh.

"If you got a chance of showing yourself off to Miss Maddison she'd jump at you!" A gleam, inspired and humorous, leaped into Essington's eyes.

The Baron, whose glance happened at the moment to fall on him, bounded gleefully from his seat.
"Hoch!" he cried, "it is mine old Bonker zat I see before me! Vat have you in your mind ?" "Sit down, my dear Baron; that lady over there thinks you are preparing to attack her.

Shall we smoke?
Try these cigars." Throwing the Baron a shrewd glance to calm his somewhat alarming exhilaration, their host turned with a graver air to his other guest.
"Tulliwuddle," said he, "I should like to help you." "I wish to the deuce you could!" Essington bent over the table confidentially.
"I have an idea.".