"Egotism, egotism, Mr. Dredge! _I_ am no egotist--and never was. It is seldom I speak of myself. No man can help speaking of himself sometimes, you know. If you are acquainted with Squire Clark, he's the man, if you please, for egotism. Talk of egotism, sir, he surpasses me a hundred per cent. I am no egotist." "I hope no offence, Mr. Slack," said Mr. Dredge. "None at all, sir; I am not so easily offended. I am a man too good-tempered for that. I and you understand each other, you know." "Have you been to the City lately?" inquired Mr. Dredge. "I was there only last week; and whom do you think I travelled with in the train? His Grace the Duke of Borderland. He was delighted to see me, you know, and gave me a pressing invitation to call on him at his London residence. Did you not know that I and the Duke were old cronies? We went to school together; and he was never half so clever as I was in the sciences and classics. He was a dull scholar compared with me." "You must have felt yourself somewhat honoured with his presence and attention." "Well, you know, Mr. Dredge, it is just here. I am so much accustomed to high life, that the presence of dukes, lords, etc., is little more to me than ordinary society. Had my friend Mr. Clarke been thus honoured, he would have blazed it all about the country. _I_ would not have mentioned it now, only your question called it up." The fact is, Mr. Dredge had heard of it before from a number of people to whom Mr. Slack had already told it. At this stage of the talk between Messrs. Dredge and Slack a rap was heard at the front door. It was Mr. Sweet, a friend of Mr. Dredge, who had called on his way to an adjacent town. Mr. Dredge introduced his friend to Mr. Slack, who gave him one of his egotistic shakes of the hand, and said, "How are you this morning?" "Mr. Sweet," observed Mr. Dredge to Mr. Slack, "is an intimate friend of mine, and a professor in Hailsworth College." "Indeed! I am very happy, extremely happy, to make his acquaintance," said Mr. Slack, with an air and voice which made the Professor open his eyes as to who he was. And without any more ceremony, Mr. Slack observed, "I know all the professors in that seat of learning. Drs. Jones, Leigh, Waller, I am intimately acquainted with--special friends of mine." To be candid, he had met with them on one occasion, and had received a formal introduction to them; but since then had not seen them. "Are you at all acquainted with music, Professor Sweet?" asked Mr. Slack. "I know a little of it, but am no adept."