“You know best, I am certain, Sir. I feel it is your province to understand these cases; but I own it would never have occurred to me to take a stupid old German potentate as an authority on a matter of business. May I ask what is that edifice yonder, like a piece of confectionary?” “It is my aviary, which I shall be proud to-show you.” “Excuse me, I know nothing about birds.” “I shall not insist, for it is the season when they lose their plumage.” “By Jove! Sir, if this system of expense be carried on, I suspect that some of ourselves will be just as devoid of feathers. That gimcrack cost, I should say, seven or eight hundred pounds?” “You have guessed too low! It will, when finished--for the frescos are not completed--amount to very close on two thousand.” “For linnets and piping bullfinches!” “Pardon me, Sir; for nothing of the kind. For the blue sparrows of Java, for the crimson owl of Ceylon, for the azure-winged mocking-bird, and the scarlet bustard.” “Let us see what the Master will say to this fine catalogue, when it is presented to him as part of works of permanent value--that’s the phrase, Sir, permanent and substantial improvements--which scarcely contemplated cockatoos and canaries. And what do I see yonder? Is that the Lord Mayor’s state barge, that you have bought in at second hand?” “That is a little gondola--a caprice of my ward’s, Sir, and not to be questioned in any way.” It was the first time since they met that any allusion to Kate had been dropped between them, and already the old envoy’s voice showed by its vibration that the theme was one not to be lightly adverted to. “The young lady’s tastes, it would seem, incline to splendour, but possibly her fortune warrants it.” “I am certain that her tastes befit her condition,” said the other, with a tone of open defiance. “I have no doubt of it, not the least doubt of it; I would only observe, that a person so very attractive----” “Well, Sir, go on; finish what you were about to say.” “Certainly not, Sir Within, when the expression with which you hear me declares that I am taking too great a liberty.” “It is too late for apology, Sir. You have already transgressed.” “I never intended an apology, Sir Within, for I took care not to incur what might require one. When I saw, or fancied I saw, that my remarks, well meant as they were, might not be as acceptable as I desired, I forbore from completing them; that is all.” “And you did well, Sir!” said the other, haughtily, while, with a proud wave of his hand, he seemed to say the subject must be dropped. “I mean to return to town to-morrow,” said Mr. Ladarelle, after a pause; “but my son, with your kind permission, will be a burden on your hospitality for a few days longer.”