lot, and might have known better!  Mr. Bolt thought, as he contemplated the sacred character of the mission.  I well remember how I laughed once, when Madame Lacelooper’s man of business drove Mr. Secretary Bolt, as I thought, into close quarters.  Thomas, in order to somewhat diversify his apologies, had three different times satisfied this person by informing him that the gentlemen of the Legation were in consultation with the Prime Minister; but this time he was determined to see for himself, and regardless of Thomas’ assurance pushed his way into the presence of Mr. Bolt, who I need scarcely add was extremely put out.  ‘I ask your honor’s pardon’ spoke the man; ‘you always come,’ petulantly interrupted our hero, ’when we are in a uproar.’  The man replied with a bow, that it was the first time he had gained an audience.  He came from Madame Lacelooper’s, and would be extremely glad if Mr. Bolt could make it convenient to discharge that little account, which had stood over for some time.  It was only two hundred and fourteen pounds, he said, in reply to a question from Mr. Bolt, who encouragingly took the missive from his hand.  ‘Thank you—­thank you!’ the man continued, evidently encouraged as our hero cast his eye over the long list of items, so neatly carried out with heavy numbers of pounds, shillings, and pence.  ‘Rather heavy;’ sighed the astonished Secretary.  ’I suppose you have orders for all these little affairs?’ The man replied that he would have them forthcoming if necessary—­that Madame Lacelooper’s was one of the most respectable establishments.  With a gracious bow, reaching his hand for a book which the expectant gentleman mistook for a bank-book, Mr. Bolt replied that it was on that account he gave it his patronage.  The gentleman thanked him for the honor, and hoped he would continue his favors.  And while this little episode was performing in the great parlour, Mr. Thomas was exercising his skill in diplomacy at the door—­informing gentlemen that Mr. Bolt was engaged over important State affairs, and politely bowing them out.’

“’Then Mr. Bolt having worked the gentleman’s anxiety up to the highest pitch, would take up his great gold pen, and on a piece of whitest paper, figure, and figure, and figure, multiply and subtract, contort his face and nervously frisk his fingers through his curly black hair.  It was all to no purpose, however he could not twist the plaguy figures into a favorable balance.  In fact the balance, despite all his diplomacy, would get on the wrong page.  At length, having exhausted patience and found language to adapt himself to circumstances, with great blandness of manner he would beg the gentleman, convey his compliments to Madame Lacelooper, and say that her little matter will be discharged at a future day.  His balance, he was surprised to find, did not enable him to meet it today; and he further regretted that a very disagreeable affair having sprung up between the Emperor of the French and his government, requiring for a few days