Pagina 278 di 896

From this room, many such dogs have been taken out to be hanged;

in the next room (my bedroom), one fellow, to our knowledge, was

poniarded on the spot for professing some insolent delicacy

respecting his daughter--his daughter? We have lost many

privileges; a new philosophy has become the mode; and the

assertion of our station, in these days, might (I do not go so

far as to say would, but might) cause us real inconvenience. All

very bad, very bad!"

The Marquis took a gentle little pinch of snuff, and shook his

head; as elegantly despondent as he could becomingly be of a

country still containing himself, that great means of

regeneration.

"We have so asserted our station, both in the old time and in the

modern time also," said the nephew, gloomily, "that I believe our

name to be more detested than any name in France."

"Let us hope so," said the uncle. "Detestation of the high is the

involuntary homage of the low."