--no expediency. I made a speech to the order at the
Clarendon; there were four hundred of us; the feeling was very
strong."

"A powerful party," said Egremont.

"And a military order, sir, if properly understood. What
could stand against us? The Reform Bill could never have
passed if the baronets had been organized."

"I have no doubt you could bring us in now," said Egremont.

"That is exactly what I told Sir Robert. I want him to be
brought in by his own order. It would be a grand thing."

"There is nothing like esprit de corps," said Egremont.

"And such a body!" exclaimed Sir Vavasour, with animation.
"Picture us for a moment, to yourself going down in procession
to Westminster for example to hold a chapter. Five or six
hundred baronets in dark green costume,--the appropriate dress
of equites aurati; each not only with his badge, but with his
collar of S.S.; belted and scarfed; his star glittering; his
pennon flying; his hat white with a plume of white feathers;
of course the sword and the gilt spurs. In our hand, the
thumb ring and signet not forgotten, we hold our coronet of
two balls!"

Egremont stared with irrepressible astonishment at the excited
being, who unconsciously pressed his companion's arm, as he