sequence as Mrs. Neville; and as the latter had no title, they were by no means disposed to yield their rank.

Sir Marmaduke began the attack by immediately seizing the Beau's chair, just as he was going to sit down. He owed it, he thought, to Yorkshire, to his own ancient Baronetcy, and to his hoped-for Peerage, not to give way to a man, whom, however well received in the very best circles in town, he looked down upon as greatly his inferior, particularly in the country, and most of all in Yorkshire.

"By your leave, Mr. Beaumont," said Sir Marmaduke; " I have sat at this lady's left hand, any time these twenty years, upon these occasions, and I hope she will not order me away from her now."

Mr. Beaumont instantly yielded, and to do him justice, with very good grace.

"If she did," added Sir Marmaduke, sitting down, and leering at his wife, as he said it, "I must obey, for every body knows I am under petticoat government."

Now as every body knew that Lady Crabtree had in fact what is called a very bad time of it as a wife, this was considered an exceeding good joke of Sir Marmaduke's. It was laughed at accordingly, by Mr. Placid, who after attempting a seat higher up the table than he had a right to, was regularly giving way to every one who claimed a chair above him,

until he had reached the bottom; catching the joke however in its progress as it went.

Sir Marmaduke having disposed of himself, there still remained the female difficulties above mentioned; for the three Baronet's ladies, and Lady Bluemantle, all remained standing—not chusing to place themselves while Mrs. Neville was actually seated above them. All, however, agreed that Mrs. High Sheriff, though only a knight's lady, was to have the precedency.

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My dear Lady Bluemantle," cried they all in a voice," the thing is quite decided."

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Perhaps so," said Lady Bluemantle, "but where am I to sit ?" refusing the chair she was next to, and looking significantly at the seated Mrs. Neville.

Lady Bellenden appeared distressed, and said, "Mrs. High Sheriff, a thousand pardons, you are certainly in your wrong place; Gertrude, my dear, let Lady Bluemantle have your chair."

But unfortunately, this being on the left hand, was a compromise by no means agreeable to Mrs. High Sheriff, who still kept looking at Mrs. Neville. That superior lady, who had affected to be talking to Lord St. Clair, but who saw the whole contest from the first, had in fact wished to keep her seat, both because she wished to be next St. Clair, and was too proud to yield it to persons, who though they ranked before

her in title, did not, as she knew, come near her in real consequence, and whom, in fact, she looked upon as mighty ordinary people. But perceiving that she was occasioning embarrassment to Lady Bellenden, and that she could easily turn the ill breeding of which she might be accused upon her rivals, she with admirable presence of mind started up, exclaiming, "Dear me, ladies, I have a million of pardons to beg; pray Lady Bellenden excuse me; I have quite forgot myself; I really thought I was in my own county." Then insisting upon placing Lady Bluemantle in the chair she resigned, she observed with a laugh, that titles were really now become so common, that a plain gentlewoman never could tell whereabouts she

was.

Miss Lyttleton here proposed a side-table, the fun of which she said she should like of all things; adding she was sure she should prove an excellent

toast-master.

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Perhaps," said Mrs. Neville, "Lady Gertrude will make room for me; or what may be better still, suppose we all go to the bottom of the table; Lord Bellenden will, I hope, be glad to receive us." At these words moving downwards, she was followed by Lady Gertrude and Mr. Beaumont, who said it was an excellent plan; and having deranged the whole settlement in Lord Bellenden's neighbourhood, the

Baronet ladies having agreed upon their seniorities at the upper end, all was harmony, and the dinner cominenced.

CHAP. V.

POLITE CONVERSATION.

"Our court, you know, is-haunted with a refined traveller of

Spain."

SHAKSPEARE.

"ADMIRABLY carried!" said Tremaine to Georgina, by whom he had seated himself about the middle of the table, after having observed the whole contest with more than usual interest. "The Empress Catharine could not have settled it better, had she condescended to squabble about such a thing."

"Pray Sir, did you know any thing about the Empress Catharine?" asked a gentleman who sat opposite, and happened to hear him.

"Not personally," answered Tremaine, rather surprised at the abruptness of the stranger.

I knew her, I may say intimately," replied the gentleman, “and all her ministers, generals, and ladies.” Tremaine bowed with great distance of manner; then, turning to Georgina, began to do the honours

of that part of the table, wondering who this stranger was, who was so familiarly disposed.

"I had letters," continued the stranger, not allowing Tremaine to escape," from old Kaunitz, to whom I had been recommended by the ministry here, which gave me the greatest facilities at the court of St. Petersburgh."

"I dare say, Sir," answered Tremaine coldly.

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"My first rencontre with Prince Kaunitz," continued the gentleman with intrepid vivacity, was remarkable—and I will relate it if you please.'

"Whether I please or not, it seems," said Tremaine in a low voice. The stranger then sending away his plate, went on thus: "Lord R. (then Mr. R.) and myself agreed to ride into Vienna; it was the first time we were there; I visited it several times afterwards, both on my return from Berlin and from Poland."

"Do you know this person?" said Tremaine to Evelyn.

"Not I," answered the Doctor, "but he seems amusing."

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Amusing!" cried Tremaine.

"Hear him," said the Doctor.

"Well," proceeded the traveller, "Lord R. (then Mr. R.) and I, resolved to ride into Vienna on posthorses. Lord R. was then young, handsome, and gay, and perhaps the greatest beau of his age. He