"No, my Lord; you filled it this morning,--gave it to Mr. Beed."
"Mr. Beed has gone, my Lord,--started with the Vienna bag."
"I don't care if there were forty, Mr. Brand! Go and pass your examination, young gentleman, and thank Sir Harry Elphinstone, for this nomination is at his request. I am only sorry you didn't kick Willis." And with this parting speech he turned away, and hopped downstairs to his brougham, with the light step and jaunty air of a man of thirty.
Scarcely was the door closed, when Baynes and Brand retired into a window recess, conversing in lowest whispers and with much head-shaking. To what a frightful condition the country must come--any country must come--when administered by men of such levity, who make a sport of its interests, and a practical joke of its patronage--was the theme over which they now mourned in common.
"Are you going to make a minute of this appointment, Brand?" asked Baynes. "I declare I 'd not do it."
The other pursed up his lips and leaned his head to one side, as though to imply that such a course would be a bold one.
"I don't know," muttered the other. "I suspect we can do it better. Where have you been educated, Mr. Butler?"
"Never, except you call a village school a public one."
Brand's eyes glistened, and Baynes's returned the sparkle.
"Far from it. I could spell out a fable, or a page of 'Telemachus,' and even that would push me hard."
"Pretty much like my French,--the less said about it the better."
"I think that will do, Brand," whispered Baynes.
The other nodded, and muttered, "Of course; and it is the best way to do it."
"These are the points, Mr. Butler," he continued, giving him a printed paper, "on which you will have to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners; they are, as you see, not very numerous nor very difficult. A certificate as to general conduct and character--British subject--some knowledge of foreign languages--the first four rules of arithmetic--and that you are able to ride--"
"Thank Heaven, there is one thing I can do; and if you ask the Commissioners to take a cast 'cross country, I 'll promise them a breather."
Tony never noticed--nor, had he noticed, had he cared for--the grave austerity of the heads of departments at this outburst of enthusiasm. He was too full of his own happiness, and too eager to share it with his mother.