Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/177

Rh It may be observed that most Grands Seigneurs have some favourite place, some cherished Baiæ, at which they love to throw off their state and to play the amiable instead of the splendid; and Bath at that time, from its gaiety, its ease, the variety of character to be found in its haunts, and the obliging manner in which such characters exposed themselves to ridicule, was exactly the place calculated to please a man like Mauleverer, who loved at once to be admired and to satirize. He was therefore an idolized person at the city of Bladud, and as he entered the rooms he was surrounded by a whole band of imitators and sycophants, delighted to find his Lordship looking so much better and declaring himself so convalescent. As soon as the Earl had bowed and smiled, and shaken hands sufficiently to sustain his reputation, he sauntered towards the dancers in search of Lucy. He found her not only exactly in the same spot in which he had last beheld her, but dancing with exactly the same partner who had before provoked all the gallant nobleman's