And he really ought to suit you, for he raves about the middle ages, and chivalry, and has edited a book full of old ballads.' 'Oh, all the eclectics do that sort of thing; and small thanks to them.

However, I will speak to him after dinner, and see what there is in him.' And Lord Vieuxbois turned away, and, alas for Lancelot! sat next to Argemone at dinner.

Lancelot, who was cross with everybody for what was nobody's fault, revenged himself all dinner-time by never speaking a word to his next neighbour, Miss Newbroom, who was longing with all her heart to talk sentiment to him about the Exhibition; and when Argemone, in the midst of a brilliant word- skirmish with Lord Vieuxbois, stole a glance at him, he chose to fancy that they were both talking of him, and looked more cross than ever.
After the ladies retired, Lancelot, in his sulky way, made up his mind that the conversation was going to be ineffably stupid; and set to to dream, sip claret, and count the minutes till he found himself in the drawing-room with Argemone.

But he soon discovered, as I suppose we all have, that 'it never rains but it pours,' and that one cannot fall in with a new fact or a new acquaintance but next day twenty fresh things shall spring up as if by magic, throwing unexpected light on one's new phenomenon.

Lancelot's head was full of the condition-of-the-poor question, and lo! everybody seemed destined to talk about it.
'Well, Lord Vieuxbois,' said the host, casually, 'my girls are raving about your new school.