"You call it an indignity; but in my opinion the best thing to be done with a man whose head so swims with wine that his legs refuse to support him, is to tie him in a chair.

He may else sacrifice his dignity by rolling under the table.

But let this pass for the nonce.

Before Sir Francis was wholly overcome, he was good enough to give me his signature.

You saw him do it, gentlemen ?" he added, appealing to the company.
"Yes--yes!--we saw him write it!" was the general reply.
"And to what end was this done, my lord ?" Sir Giles demanded, sternly.
"To enable me," replied the imperturbable young nobleman, "to draw out a receipt in full of your joint claims against Madame Bonaventure.