"Puppies and fops do fight well. Vanity and valour generally go together. Cæsar, who scratched his head with due care of his scanty curls, and, even in dying, thought of the folds in his toga; Walter Raleigh, who could not walk twenty yards, because of the gems in his shoes; Alcibiades, who lounged into the Agora with doves in his bosom, and an apple in his hand; Murat, bedizened in gold-lace and furs; and Demetrius, the City-Taker, who made himself up like a French _Marquise_,--were all pretty good fellows at fighting. A slovenly hero like Cromwell is a paradox in nature, and a marvel in history. But to return to my cornet. We were rich; he was poor. When the pot of clay swims down the stream with the brass-pots, it is sure of a smash. Men said Digby was stingy; I saw he was extravagant. But every one, I fear, would be rather thought stingy than poor. _Bref._--I left the army, and saw him no more till to-night. There was never shabby poor gentleman on the stage more awfully shabby, more pathetically gentleman. But, look ye, this man has fought for England. It was no child's play at Waterloo, let me tell you, Mr Egerton; and, but for such men, you would be at best a _sous-prefêt_, and your Parliament a Provincial Assembly. You must do something for Digby. What shall it be?" "Why, really, my dear Harley, this man was no great friend of yours--eh?" "If he were, he would not want the Government to help him--he would not be ashamed of taking money from me." "That is all very fine, Harley; but there are so many poor officers, and so little to give. It is the most difficult thing in the world that which you ask me. Indeed, I know nothing can be done: he has his half-pay?" "I think not; or, if he has it, no doubt it all goes on his debts. That's nothing to us: the man and his child are starving." "But if it is his own fault--if he has been imprudent?" "Ah--well, well; where the devil is Nero?" "I am so sorry I can't oblige you. If it were anything else--" "There is something else. My valet--I can't turn him adrift--excellent fellow, but gets drunk now and then. Will you find him a place in the Stamp Office?" "With pleasure." "No, now I think of it--the man knows my ways: I must keep him. But my old wine-merchant--civil man, never dunned--is a bankrupt. I am under great obligations to him, and he has a very pretty daughter. Do you think you could thrust him into some small place in the Colonies, or make him a King's Messenger, or something of the sort?" "If you very much wish it, no doubt I can." "My dear Audley, I am but feeling my way: the fact is, I want something for myself." "Ah, that indeed gives me pleasure!" cried Egerton, with animation. "The mission to Florence will soon be vacant--I know it privately. The place would quite suit me. Pleasant city; the best figs in Italy--very little to do. You could sound Lord ---- on the subject."