SEEING THE MUSEUM. 53

Howard could scarcely refrain from laugh-
ing outright ; but he controlled himself for the
sake of politeness, and walked by the side of the
little dandy, quite ashamed of his companion.
He noticed smiles of derision upon pretty
faces, as they passed, and contemptuous looks
from dashing young men.

George was so well satisfied with himself
and his new ornament, and so occupied with
keeping it in the right position, that he did not
notice either derisive smiles or contemptuous
looks. Indeed, he had not a suspicion that he
was making himself perfectly ridiculous.

They entered the Museum, and George
assumed the place of cicerone to his English
cousin, with a very important, patronizing
air. :

“ Now, Sir Howard,” said he, “I shall have
the pleasure of showing you many objects of
native growth, which you never saw in Great
Britain.”

This was said in a loud voice, intended to
be very manly, and with very strong emphasis
upon the “Sir Howard ;” for George, like
many other democratic people, had a wonder-