Let each reader, then, call to mind the last average specimen of fat and fair babyhood which may have come under his notice; let him imagine it clothed in the richest sky-blue satin; let him deprive it of its coral, and substitute in its place a gold watch and appendages; round its fat little excuse for a neck let him clasp a diamond necklace; let him dress its hair, or provide it a flaxen wig--if its hair should be as yet a pleasure to come--made after the fashion we have above described; and let him, lastly, by a powerful effort of imagination, inflate this baby until, still preserving its infantine proportions, it shall stand five feet nine in its satin shoes,--and he will then have arrived at a very correct idea of Lady Lombard as she appeared when, rustling forward in a tremor of delight, she advanced to perform the part of gracious hostess to the Prince of Persia. “Really, Mr. Bracy,” she began, as that gentleman, with a countenance of solemn satisfaction, stepped forward to meet her, “really, this is _too_ kind of you; how do you do? So you have positively brought me the _dear_ prince? _Will_ you introduce me to him, and explain to him how _very_ much honoured I am by his condescension in coming this evening?” Be it observed, by the way, that her ladyship spoke with the greatest _empressement_, and had a habit of uttering many of her words in italics, not to say small capitals. “It will give me much satisfaction to do so,” returned Bracy, with grave courtesy; “but I can assure you the prince came quite of his own accord. The moment I had explained your invitation to him he caught the note out of my hand, pressed it three times to his forehead, and exclaimed in the court dialect of Iraun, ‘_Hahazyr imeyur manzur_, he did, indeed.” “No-o-o, _really!_” ejaculated Lady Lombard, more emphatically than she had ever yet spoken in her life; then, as a faint glimmering came across her that there was a slight anomaly in appearing so deeply interested in a remark which she could by no possibility understand, she added: “But you should recollect, Mr. Bracy, that _every_ one does not possess your remarkable acquaintance with the Eastern languages.” “Psha! how forgetful I am!” returned Bracy. “Your ladyship must excuse me; the prince has been so short a time in this country that I am scarcely yet accustomed to my new duties. The few words I had the honour to repeat to you merely signify--you know the Eastern metaphors are very peculiar--‘I will kiss’--it’s the usual form of accepting any distinguished invitation--‘I will kiss her ladyship’s door-mat!’ Curious, is it not?” “Yes, _indeed_,” was the sympathetic reply. At the same moment Bracy, turning to Frere, presented him to their hostess, saying “Prince, this is Lady Lombard--_Twygt-hur rhumauld gâl!_”