"No, my Lady--yes, your Ladyship, (I beg your Ladyship's pardon)--but, now I think of it, I had a slight acquaintance with Miss Aubrey." [Titmouse, Titmouse, you little wretch, how dare you say so?] "She is considered pretty in the country, I believe," drawled Lady Cecilia, languidly. "Oh, most uncommon lovely!--_middling_, only middling, my Lady, I should say"--added Titmouse, suddenly; having observed, as he fancied, rather a displeased look in Lady Cecilia. He had begun his sentence with more energy than he had yet shown in the house; he finished it hastily, and colored as he spoke--feeling that he had, somehow or another, committed himself. "Do you form a new establishment at Yatton, sir?" inquired the earl, "or take to any part of that of your predecessor?" "I have not, please your Lordship, made up my mind yet exactly--should like to know your Lordship's opinion." "Why, sir, I should be governed by circumstances--by circumstances, sir; when you get there, sir, you will be better able to judge of the course you should pursue." Titmouse made an humble obeisance. "Do you intend, Mr. Titmouse, to live in town, or in the country?" inquired Lady Cecilia. "A little of both, my Lady--but mostly in town; because, as your Ladyship sees, the country is _devilish_ dull--'pon my life, my Lady--my Lord--beg a thousand pardons," he suddenly added, bowing to both, and blushing violently. Here he _had_ committed himself, and awfully; but his august companions bowed to him very kindly, and he presently recovered his self-possession. "Are you fond of hunting, Mr. Titmouse?" inquired the earl. "Why, my Lord, can't exactly say that I am--but your Lordship sees, cases alter circumstances, and when I get down there among the country gents, p'r'aps I may do as they do, my Lord." "I presume, Mr. Titmouse, you have scarcely chosen a town residence yet?" inquired Lady Cecilia. "No, my Lady--not fixed it yet--was thinking of taking Mr. Aubrey's house in Grosvenor Street, understanding it is to be sold;" then turning towards the earl--"because, as your Lordship sees, I was thinking of getting into _both_ the nests of the old birds, while both are warm"--he added with a very faint smile. "Exactly; yes--I see, sir--I understand you," replied Lord Dreddlington, sipping his wine. His manner rather discomposed Titmouse, to whom it then very naturally occurred that the earl might be warmly attached to the Aubreys, and not relish their being spoken of so lightly; so Titmouse hastily and anxiously added--"Your Lordship sees I was most _particular_ sorry to make the Aubreys turn out. A most uncommon respectable gent, Mr. Aubrey: I assure your Lordship I think so."