text:  At last a prolonged _rat-tat-tat_ announces the arrival of the noble beast the lion of the evening; the Honourable Sniftky who is a junior clerk in the Foreign Office is announced by the footman out of livery (for the day ) and announces himself a minute after: he comes in a long-tailed coat and boots to show his contempt for his entertainers and mouths a sort of apology for keeping his betters waiting which is received by the gentility-monger his lady and miss with nods and becks and wreathed smiles of unqualified admiration and respect