“I hope I do not disturb you,” said Temple, as he leaned on the table at which the other was seated. “Throw that cigar away, and I'll tell you,” said the old man, with a faint smile. “I never can conquer my aversion to tobacco. What do you want to say? Is it anything we cannot talk over at dinner, or after dinner?--for this post leaves at such an inconvenient hour, it gives me scant time to write.” “I beg a thousand pardons, sir; but I have just heard that a very distinguished member of our corps--I mean the diplomatic corps--is down in this neighborhood, and I want your permission to ask him over here.” “Who is he?” “Lord Culduff.” “What! that old scamp who ran away with Lady Clifford? I thought he could n't come to England?” “Why, sir, he is one of the first men we have. It was he that negotiated the Erzeroum treaty, and I heard Sir Stamford Bolter say he was the only man in England who understood the Sound dues.” “He ran off with another man's wife, and I don't like that.” “Well, sir, as he didn't marry her afterwards, it was clear it was only a passing indiscretion.” “Oh, indeed! that view of it never occurred to me. I suppose, then, it is in this light the corps regards it?” “I trust so, sir. Where there is no complication there is no loss of character; and as Lord Culduff is received everywhere, and courted in the very best circles, I think it would be somewhat strange if we were to set up to teach the world how it ought to treat him.” “I have no such pretension. I simply claim the right to choose the people I invite to my house.” “He may be my chief to-morrow or next day,” said Temple. “So much the worse for you.” “Certainly not, sir, if we seize the opportunity to show him some attentions. He is a most high-bred gentleman, and from his abilities, his rank, and his connections, sure to be at the head of the line; and I confess I 'd be very much ashamed if he were to hear, as he is sure to hear, that I was in his vicinity without my ever having gone to wait on him.” “Go by all means, then. Wait upon him at once, Temple; but I tell you frankly, I don't fancy presenting such a man to your sisters.” “Why, sir, there is not a more unobjectionable man in all England; his manners are the very type of respectful deference towards ladies. He belongs to that old school which professes to be shocked with modern levity, while his whole conversation is a sort of quiet homage.” “Well, well; how long would he stay,--a week?” “A couple of days, perhaps, if he came at all. Indeed, I greatly doubt that he would come. They say he is here about some coal-mine they have discovered on his property.” “What! has he found coal?” cried the old man, eagerly. “So it is said, sir; or, at least, he hopes so.” “It's only lignite. I 'm certain it's only lignite. I have been deceived myself twice or thrice, and I don't believe coal--real coal--exists in this part of Ireland.”