Without compliment, Mr.
Fairford, it was as fine a first appearance as I ever heard.

I should be sorry your son did not follow it up in a reply.

Nothing like striking while the iron is hot.' Mr.Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in an opinion which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it most prudent to reply, 'that the affair which rendered his son Alan's presence in the country absolutely necessary, regarded the affairs of a young gentleman of great fortune, who was a particular friend of Alan's, and who never took any material step in his affairs without consulting his counsel learned in the law.' 'Well, well, Mr.Fairford, you know best,' answered the learned dean; 'if there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a wedding is to be preferred to all other business.

I am happy Mr.Alan is so much recovered as to be able for travel, and wish you a very good morning.' Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr.Fairford hastily wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges, accounting for Alan's absence in the same manner.

These, being properly sealed and addressed, he delivered to James with directions to dismiss the particoloured gentry, who, in the meanwhile, had consumed a gallon of twopenny ale, while discussing points of law, and addressing each other by their masters' titles.