carved. It seemed a picturesque idea for a collector. You could

not help thinking how many night-caps had wagged over these

warming-pans in past generations; what jests may have been made,

and kisses taken, while they were in service; and how often they

had been uselessly paraded in the bed of death. If they could only

speak, at what absurd, indecorous, and tragical scenes had they not

been present!

The wine was excellent. When we made the Judge our compliments

upon a bottle, 'I do not give it you as my worst,' said he. I

wonder when Englishmen will learn these hospitable graces. They

are worth learning; they set off life, and make ordinary moments

ornamental.

There were two other Landrecienses present. One was the collector

of something or other, I forget what; the other, we were told, was

the principal notary of the place. So it happened that we all five

more or less followed the law. At this rate, the talk was pretty

certain to become technical. The Cigarette expounded the Poor Laws

very magisterially. And a little later I found myself laying down

the Scots Law of Illegitimacy, of which I am glad to say I know

nothing. The collector and the notary, who were both married men,

accused the Judge, who was a bachelor, of having started the

subject. He deprecated the charge, with a conscious, pleased air,

just like all the men I have ever seen, be they French or English.

How strange that we should all, in our unguarded moments, rather

like to be thought a bit of a rogue with the women!

As the evening went on, the wine grew more to my taste; the spirits

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