Mr.Stuart, a young and able lawyer, in the first agonies of real success at the bar, had sent word that he could not reach home till late.
'I don't know, I'm sure, what's the good of going to see that girl with you two carping fellows,' he began, combatively, over his soup.

'She won't suit you, and you'll only spoil Mrs.Stuart's pleasure and mine.' 'My dear Forbes,' said Wallace in his placid undisturbed way, 'you will see I shall behave like an angel.

I shall allow myself no unpleasant remarks, and I shall make as much noise as anybody in the theatre.' 'That's all very well; but if you don't say it, Kendal will look it; and I don't know which is the most damping.' 'Mrs.Stuart, you shall be the judge of our behaviour,' said Kendal, smiling--he and Forbes were excellent friends.

'Forbes is not in a judicial frame of mind, but we will trust you to be fair.

I suppose, Forbes, we may be allowed a grumble or two at Hawes if you shut our mouths on the subject of Miss Bretherton.' 'Hawes does his best,' said Forbes, with a touch of obstinacy.