"He behaved very handsomely, and said he had not presumed to consider me his mouthpiece; and then, too, I am so intimate with L'Estrange." "Is that queer fellow ever coming back to England?" "He comes, generally every year, for a few days, just to see his father and mother, and then goes back to the Continent." "I never meet him." "He comes in September or October, when you, of course, are not in town, and it is in town that the Lansmeres meet him." "Why does not he go to them?" "A man in England but once a year, and for a few days, has so much to do in London, I suppose." "Is he as amusing as ever?" Egerton nodded. "So distinguished as he might be!" continued Lord Westbourne. "So distinguished as he is!" said Egerton, formally; "an officer selected for praise, even in such fields as Quatre Bras and Waterloo; a scholar, too, of the finest taste; and as an accomplished gentleman, matchless!" "I like to hear one man praise another so warmly in these ill-natured days," answered Lord Westbourne. "But, still, though L'Estrange is, doubtless, all you say, don't you think he rather wastes his life--living abroad?" "And trying to be happy, Westbourne? Are you sure it is not we who waste our lives? But I can't stay to hear your answer. Here we are at the door of my prison." "On Saturday, then?" "On Saturday. Good-day." For the next hour, or more, Mr. Egerton was engaged on the affairs of the state. He then snatched an interval of leisure (while awaiting a report, which he had instructed a clerk to make him), in order to reply to his letters. Those on public business were soon dispatched; and throwing his replies aside, to be sealed by a subordinate hand, he drew out the letters which he had put apart as private. He attended first to that of his steward: the steward's letter was long; the reply was contained in three lines. Pitt himself was scarcely more negligent of his private interests and concerns than Audley Egerton--yet, withal, Audley Egerton was said, by his enemies, to be an egotist. The next letter he wrote was to Randal, and that, though longer, was far from prolix: it ran thus: "DEAR MR. LESLIE--I appreciate your delicacy in consulting me, whether you should accept Frank Hazeldean's invitation to call at the Hall. Since you are asked, I can see no objection to it. I should be sorry if you appeared to force yourself there; and, for the rest, as a general rule, I think a young man who has his own way to make in life, had better avoid all intimacy with those of his own age, who have no kindred objects, nor congenial pursuits.