Then came the return--we landed once more in the scene of my dignity--at the corner of Fleet Street we found the Lady Mayoress waiting for the procession--there she was--Sally Scropps (her maiden name was Snob)--there was my own Sally, with a plume of feathers that half filled the coach, and Jenny and Maria and young Sally, all with their backs to _my_ horses, which were pawing the mud and snorting and smoking like steam engines, with nostrils like safety valves, and four of _my_ footmen hanging behind the coach, like bees in a swarm. There had not been so much riband in my family since my poor father's failure at Coventry--and yet how often, over and over again, although he had been dead more than twenty years, did I, during that morning, in the midst of my splendour, think of _him_, and wish that he could see me in my greatness--yes, even in the midst of my triumph I seemed to defer to my good, kind parent--in heaven, as I hope and trust--as if I were anxious for _his_ judgment and _his_ opinion as to how I should perform the arduous and manifold duties of the day. Up Ludgate Hill we moved--the fog grew thicker and thicker--but then the beautiful women at the windows--those up high could only see my knees and the paste buckles in my shoes; every now and then, I bowed condescendingly to people I had never seen before, in order to show my courtesy and my chain and collar, which I had discovered during the morning shone the better for being shaken. At length we reached Guildhall--as I crossed the beautiful building, lighted splendidly, and filled with well dressed company, and heard the deafening shouts which rent the fane as I entered it, I really was overcome--I retired to a private room--refreshed my dress, rubbed up my chain, which the damp had tarnished, and prepared to receive my guests. They came, and--shall I ever forget it?--dinner was announced; the bands played "O the roast beef of Old England." Onwards we went, a Prince of the blood, of the blood royal of my country, led out _my_ Sally--my own Sally--the Lady Mayoress! the Lord High Chancellor handed out young Sally--I saw it done--I thought I should have choked; the Prime Minister took Maria; the Lord Privy Seal gave his arm to Jenny; and my wife's mother, Mrs. Snob, was honoured by the protection of the Right Honourable the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.--Oh, if my poor father could have but seen _that_!