“Hush, pray⁠—pink eyes⁠—fancy dress⁠—little boy⁠—nonsense⁠—ensign 97th⁠—Honourable Wilmot Snipe⁠—great family⁠—Snipes⁠—very.”

“Sir Thomas Clubber, Lady Clubber, and the Misses Clubber!” shouted the man at the door in a stentorian voice. A great sensation was created throughout the room by the entrance of a tall gentleman in a blue coat and bright buttons, a large lady in blue satin, and two young ladies, on a similar scale, in fashionably-made dresses of the same hue.

“Commissioner⁠—head of the yard⁠—great man⁠—remarkably great man,” whispered the stranger in Mr. Tupman’s ear, as the charitable committee ushered Sir Thomas Clubber and family to the top of the room. The Honourable Wilmot Snipe, and other distinguished gentlemen crowded to render homage to the Misses Clubber; and Sir Thomas Clubber stood bolt upright, and looked majestically over his black kerchief at the assembled company.