"In my opinion," said her ladyship, the angry spot still glowing on her brow, "there are enough of _men_ among us already--I wish I could say gentlemen--As matters stand, I see little business _ladies_ can have at St. Ronan's." This was an intimation which always brought the Squire back to good-breeding, which he could make use of when he pleased. He deprecated her ladyship's displeasure, until she told him, in returning good humour, that she really would not trust him unless he brought his sister to be security for his future politeness. "Clara, my lady," said Mowbray, "is a little wilful; and I believe your ladyship must take the task of unharbouring her into your own hands. What say you to a gipsy party up to my old shop?--It is a bachelor's house--you must not expect things in much order; but Clara would be honoured"---- The Lady Penelope eagerly accepted the proposal of something like a party, and, quite reconciled with Mowbray, began to enquire whether she might bring the stranger artist with her; "that is," said her ladyship, looking to Dinah, "if he be a gentleman." Here Dinah interposed her assurance, "that the gentleman at Meg Dods's was quite and clean a gentleman, and an illustrated poet besides." "An illustrated poet, Dinah?" said Lady Penelope; "you must mean an illustrious poet." "I dare to say your ladyship is right," said Dinah, dropping a curtsy. A joyous flutter of impatient anxiety was instantly excited through all the blue-stocking faction of the company, nor were the news totally indifferent to the rest of the community. The former belonged to that class, who, like the young Ascanius, are ever beating about in quest of a tawny lion, though they are much more successful in now and then starting a great bore;[I-13] and the others, having left all their own ordinary affairs and subjects of interest at home, were glad to make a matter of importance of the most trivial occurrence. A mighty poet, said the former class--who could it possibly be?--All names were recited--all Britain scrutinized, from Highland hills to the Lakes of Cumberland--from Sydenham Common to St. James's Place--even the Banks of the Bosphorus were explored for some name which might rank under this distinguished epithet.--And then, besides his illustrious poesy, to sketch so inimitably!--who _could_ it be? And all the gapers, who had nothing of their own to suggest, answered with the antistrophe, "Who could it be?" The Claret-Club, which comprised the choicest and firmest adherents of Squire Mowbray and the Baronet--men who scorned that the reversion of one bottle of wine should furnish forth the feast of to-morrow, though caring nought about either of the fine arts in question, found out an interest of their own, which centred in the same individual.