friend Flamm--pardon me the expression, though he is a Radical. I have given Plumper a few lines to Lady Gules. Please do all you can to overcome the prejudice against him which both she and Lord Gules are sure to entertain; and believe me, yours faithfully, "ADOLPHUS GRESHAM." _Lady G_. A Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel! That is a mixture that ought to suit you, Elaine. _El_. Quite as well as a Tory, a spendthrift, and a bigot, which is the one I usually meet in society, mamma. But please do not let us quarrel. I always try to be polite to your mixtures. For Mr Gresham's sake, be civil to mine. _Lady G_. For Mr Gresham's sake, indeed! What have you done for Mr Gresham's sake that puts me under an obligation to him? However, I suppose we must ask the man to dinner. Is there any address on his card? _El_. 20 Heavitree Gardens. _Lady G_. One of those millionaire palaces, I suppose, in the back regions of South Kensington. The carriage is waiting, so I shall leave you to write the invitation. You had better ask him for Tuesday, when we have got some people coming to dinner. [_Exit_ Lady Gules. _El_. [_taking up the letter, reads_]. "Now chiefly occupies himself with works of charity and benevolence. One of his special hobbies is the introduction of aesthetic principles into _Kindergartens_." How refreshing to meet a man at last who takes a living interest in the welfare of his fellow-creatures! I am sure I shall like him. [ _Writes, and rings the bell_.] _Enter_ Charles. _Lady E_. Please put this in the post, Charles. [_Exit_ Charles.] Now I must go and get ready to go out riding with papa, and reconcile him to the dreadful idea of having "a Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel" at his dinner-table. [_Exit_ Elaine. (_A month elapses_.) SCENE IV.--Lady Gules's Boudoir. Lord and Lady Gules. _Lord G_. I tell you what it is, my dear--we've only known that fellow Plumper a month, and he has already completely captivated Elaine with his _Kindergarten_, and his sunflowers, and his hatred of the landed interest and Irish coercion, and love of the _cloture_ and humanity, and Buddha and Brahma, and Zoroaster and Mahomet, and all the rest of them. I must really take steps to find out whether Gresham was well informed about his reputed wealth. I shall ride down and take a look at 20 Heavitree Gardens to-morrow. I haven't met a single man at the Club who has ever heard of him. _Lady G_. It's no use: if he should turn out a pauper, or even a swindler, I am afraid Elaine will marry him. I saw it in her eye last night; and so, I should think, did he. He certainly can't complain of not receiving encouragement. I only wonder that he has not yet proposed. I believe the man to be capable of any act of audacity, in spite of his languid manner, and his long hair, and short-sightedness, and his stammer. _Enter_ Elaine. _Lord G_. Are you coming to ride with me, or going out to drive with your mother, Elaine?