"It has succeeded, sir, for the moment, but"--continued his Lordship, in a very significant and stately manner--"it is quite possible that their triumph may be of very short duration--Mr. Titmouse. Those who, like myself, are at headquarters--let me see you fill your glass, Mr. Titmouse.--I have the honor to congratulate you, sir, on the recovery of your rights, and to wish you health and long life in the enjoyment of them," quoth the earl, with an air of the loftiest urbanity. "May it please your Lordship, your Lordship's most uncommon polite"--commenced Titmouse, rising and standing while he spoke--for he had had experience enough of society, to be aware that when a gentleman's health is drunk on important occasions, it becomes him to rise and acknowledge the compliment in such language as he can command--"and am particularly proud--a--a--I beg to propose, my Lord, your Lordship's very _superior_ good health, and many thanks." Then he sat down; each poured out another glass of claret, and Titmouse drank his off. "It is extremely singular, sir," said the earl, musingly, after a considerable pause, "the reverses in life that one hears of!" [I cannot help pausing, for a moment, to suggest--what must have become of the earl and his daughter, had they been placed in the situation of the unfortunate Aubreys?] "Yes, my Lord, your Lordship's quite true, 'pon my word!--Most uncommon _ups_ and _downs!_ Lord, my Lord, only to fancy _me_, a few months ago, trotting up and down Oxford Street with my yard mea"----He stopped short, and colored violently. "Well, sir," replied the earl, with an expression of bland and dignified sympathy--"however humble might have been your circumstances, it is a consolation to reflect that _the Fates ordained it_. Sir, there is nothing dishonorable in being poor, when--you cannot help it! Reverses of fortune, sir, have happened to some of the greatest characters in our history. You remember Alfred, sir?" Titmouse bowed assentingly; but had he been questioned, could have told, I suspect, as little about the matter--as the earl himself. "Allow me, sir, to ask whether you have come to any arrangement with your late opponent concerning the back-rents?" inquired the earl, with a great appearance of interest. "No, my Lord, not yet; but my solicitors say they'll soon _have the screw on_, please your Lordship--that's just what they say--their very words." "Indeed, sir!" replied the earl, gravely. "What is the sum to which they say you are entitled, sir?" "Sixty thousand pounds, my Lord, at least--quite set me up at starting, my Lord--won't it?" replied Titmouse, with great glee; but the earl shuddered involuntarily for a moment, and sipped his wine in silence. "By the way, Mr. Titmouse," said he, after a considerable pause--"I trust you will forgive me for suggesting whether it would not be a prudent step for you to go to one of the universities, for at least a twelvemonth."