Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/85

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PAUL CLIFFORD.
77

tion of Mr. Clifford, (the stranger of the Rectory and deliverer of Dr. Slopperton) to Lucy Brandon had been effected, and the hand of the heiress was already engaged (according to the custom of that time) for the two ensuing dances.

It was about twenty minutes after the above presentation had taken place, that Lord Mauleverer and William Brandon entered the rooms, and the buzz created by the appearance of the noted Peer, and the distinguished lawyer, had scarcely subsided, before the Royal Personage expected to grace "the festive scene," (as the newspapers say of a great room with plenty of miserable-looking people in it) arrived. The most disagreeable and the most attractive persons in Europe may be found among the Royal Family of England. His present Majesty, for instance, among the one class; and as for the other, what say you to his Royal Highness the Duke of * * * * *; a man who, without flattery, may be said to unite the appearance of the Hun with the soul of the Vandal. The great personage then at Bath