There was a vast amount of wine-taking, of mixed conversation, and a noise as of many tongues speaking at once. One of the young farmers sang a hunting song, with a “tally ho!” chorus, which was rendered vigorously, if not musically. People had evidently come to enjoy themselves, and they did so to their hearts’ content. Henry Adolphus had been constrained――from the force of circumstances, of course――to partake of wine with so many persons that he was in an effervescent state. All of a sudden, to the surprise of everybody and the dismay of a few, he rose to his legs for the purpose of addressing the assembly. “Sit down――don’t be so foolish――do pray sit down,” cried one of the female servants, frowning at the footman. “Ish all right, I know what I’m ’bout!” exclaimed Henry Adolphus――“have a dooty to perform.” “Are you mad?” “Mary Hann, don’t be personal. Be quiet, my girl, be quiet.” Then in a louder voice he shouted out, “Mr. Charman!” “Order, chair!” said Mr. Magnet. “Mr. Charman and gentlemen,” said the footman, “I need not tell you that I’m unaccustomed to public speaking, but I cannot let this hevening pass hover without――without doing what I consider to be a justice to our worthy charman. Gentlemen, Mr. Magnet has put himself out of way to oblige us. Every one of us can lay our ’ands on our ’arts and say that he has expressed our feelings a deal better than we could have done ourselves. (Hear, hear.) Now, I want to tell you that we ought to be grateful, and I cannot let the hevening pass hover――――” “Henry Adolphus, do sit down.” “Mary Hann, shut up,” said the footman. “I will have my say.” “Oh, it’s dreadful. Do get him to sit down.” “We have a little interruption here, Mr. Charman, but that does not matter. I cannot and will not let the hevening pass hover without doing what I consider to be my dooty. Gentlemen, one and hall, my hobject in addressing you is easily expressed, and I intend to keep the hobject in my heye. I’m going to ask you to drink the ’ealth of Mr. Magnet, and at the same time I want you to join me in thanking ’im for all his kindness.” The health of the charman was drunk with enthusiasm, and, much to the delight of those around him, the pertinacious flunkey sat down. He had by this time imbibed enough to float a four-oared cutter, and the only wonder was that he did not make a greater fool of himself. The chairman responded in an amusing speech, and the hilarity was very soon at its height. It was intimated that everything was ready for the dance, the next room had been cleared, and the musicians were playing some lively strains. There was a general exodus, most of the company betaking themselves to the ball-room. Peace and his coadjutors comported themselves very well――the music was bright, crisp, and inspiring. The musicians were stationed in a gallery at the end of the room, and Peace had no opportunity of mixing with the throng of dancers beneath.