But he must by no means soar into correct phraseology,--lest he offend.

The realistic,--by which we mean that which shall seem to be real,--lies between the two, and in reaching it the writer has not only to keep his proper distance on both sides, but has to maintain varying distances in accordance with the position, mode of life, and education of the speakers.

Lady Castlewood in _Esmond_ would not have been properly made to speak with absolute precision; but she goes nearer to the mark than her more ignorant lord, the viscount; less near, however, than her better-educated kinsman, Henry Esmond.

He, however, is not made to speak altogether by the card, or he would be unnatural.

Nor would each of them speak always in the same strain, but they would alter their language according to their companion,--according even to the hour of the day.