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76 civil and silent as ye are able, and don't thrust yourselves upon me, as you are accustomed to do, whenever you see no opportunity of indulging me with that honour with the least show of propriety!" So saying, and waiting no reply, Mr. Clifford hastened after the Master of the ceremonies.

"Our friend grows mighty imperious!" said Long Ned, whom our readers have already recognized in the tall stranger.

"'Tis the way with your rising geniuses," answered the moralizing Augustus Tomlinson; "suppose we go to the card-room, and get up a rubber?"

"Well thought of," said Ned, yawning,—a thing he was very apt to do in society; "and I wish nothing worse to those who try our rubbers, than that they may be well cleaned by them." Upon this witticism the Colossus of Roads glancing towards the glass, strutted off, arm in arm with his companion, to the card-room.

During this short conversation the