De la Pluche, I'm so delighted to make
your acquaintance. I have often heard of you.'
"'Who,' says I, 'has mentioned my insiggnificknt igsistance to the fair
Lady Hangelina? kel bonure igstrame poor mwaw!' (For you see I've not
studdied 'Pelham' for nothink, and have lunt a few French phraces,
without which no Gent of fashn speaks now.)
"'O,' replies my lady, 'it was Papa first; and then a very, VERY old
friend of yours.'
"'Whose name is,' says I, pusht on by my stoopid curawsaty--
"'Hoggins--Mary Ann Hoggins'--ansurred my lady (laffing phit to splitt
her little sides). 'She is my maid, Mr. De la Pluche, and I'm afraid you
are a very sad, sad person.'
"'A mere baggytell,' says I. 'In fommer days I WAS equainted with that
young woman; but haltered suckmstancies have sepparated us for hever,
and mong cure is irratreevably perdew elsewhere.'
"'Do tell me all about it. Who is it? When was it? We are all dying to
know."
"'Since about two minnits, and the Ladys name begins with a HA,' says I,
looking her tendarly in the face, and conjring up hall the fassanations
of my smile.
"'Mr. De la Pluche,' here said a gentleman in whiskers and mistashes
standing by, 'hadn't you better take your spurs out of the Countess of
Bareacres' train?'--'Never mind Mamma's train' (said Lady Hangelina):
'this is the great Mr.
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