Vane should keep you waiting."
"By no means, madam; it is fortunate--I mean, it procures me the pleasure
of" (here articulation became obstructed) "your society, madam. Besides,
the servants of the Muse are used to waiting. What we are not used to is"
(here the white hand filled his glass) "being waited upon by Hebe and the
Twelve Graces, whose health I have the honor "--(Deglutition).
"A poet!" cried Mabel; "oh! I am so glad! Little did I think ever to see
a living poet! Dear heart! I should not have known, if you had not told
me. Sir, I love poetry!"
"It is in your face, madam." Triplet instantly whipped out his
manuscript, put a plate on one corner of it, and a decanter on the other,
and begged her opinion of this trifle, composed, said he, "in honor of a
lady Mr. Vane entertains to-day."
"Oh!" said Mrs. Vane, and colored with pleasure. How ungrateful she had
been! Here was an attention!--For, of course, she never doubted that the
verses were in honor of her arrival.
"'Bright being--'"
sang out Triplet.
"Nay, sir," said Mabel; "I think I know the lady, and it would be hardly
proper of me--"
"Oh, madam!" said Triplet, solemnly; "strictly correct, madam!" And he
spread his hand out over his bosom. "Strictly!-- 'Blunderbuss' (my
poetical name, madam) never stooped to the taste of the town.
'Bright being, thou--'"
"But you must have another glass of wine first, and a slice of the
haunch.
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