Mrs. Ashwood, who had been entertained apart by Mr. Hanbury, now hurried over the supper; during which Elkerton, still full of himself, engrossed almost all the conversation; gave a detail of the purchases he had made abroad, and the trouble he had to land them; interspersed with _bon mots_ of French Marquises and German Barons, and witty remarks of an English Duke with whom he had crossed the water on his return. But whatever story he told, himself was still forwardest in the picture; his project of marrying an handsome wife was again repeated; and he told the party how charming a house he had bought in Kent, and how he had furnished his library. Rochely, who lay in wait to revenge himself for all the mortifications he had suffered from him during the evening, took occasion to say, in his grave, cold manner, 'to be sure a man of your taste and erudition, Mr. Elkerton, cannot do without a library; but for my part, I think you will find no books can say so much to the purpose as those kept by your late father in Milk-street, Cheapside.' Elkerton turned pale at this sneer; but forcing a smile of contempt, answered, 'You bankers have no ideas out of your compting-houses; and rich as ye are, will never be any thing but _des bourgeois les plus grossieres_! For my part I see no reason why--why a man's being in business, should prevent his enjoying the _elegancies_ and _agréments_ of life, especially if he can _afford_ it; as it is well known, I believe, even to _you_, Sir, _that I can_.' 'Oh! Sir,' replied Rochely, 'I know your late father was _reputed_ to have died rich, and that no body has made a better _figure about town_ than _you_ have, ever since.' 'As to figure, Sir,' returned the other, 'it is true I like to have every thing about me _comme il faut_. And though I don't make fifty per cent. of money, as _some_ gentlemen do in _your_ way of business, I assure you, Sir, I do nothing that I cannot very well afford.' Mrs. Ashwood, who thought it very likely a quarrel might ensue, here endeavoured to put an end to such very unpleasant discourse; and prevented Mr. Hanbury, who equally hated them both, from trying to irritate them farther, to which he maliciously inclined. The hints, however, of fatigue, given by her and Miss Mowbray, obliged Mr. Rochely to ring that his chariot might be called, which had waited at the door; while Elkerton, who had a pair of beautiful pied horses in his vis-à-vis, desired to have them sent for from a neighbouring inn--'for _I_' said he, rising and strutting round the room, 'never suffer _my_ people or _my_ horses to wait in the streets.' He then leant over Emmeline's chair, and began in a court tone to renew his compliments. But she suddenly arose; and begging Mrs. Ashwood would give her leave to retire, wished Mr. Rochely and ladies a good night; and slightly curtseying to Elkerton, who was putting himself into the attitude for a speech and a bow, she tripped away.