DANDY*O*RAMA - Count Alcibiades de Mirabel (Disraeli)

The Count Mirabel could talk at all times, and at all times well. Practised in the world, the Count Mirabel was nevertheless the child of impulse, though a native grace, and an intuitive knowledge of mankind, made every word pleasing and every act appropriate. The Count Mirabel was gay, careless, generous. It seemed that the Count Mirabel's feelings grew daily more fresh, and his faculty of enjoyment more keen and relishing.

»I live to amuse myself, and I do nothing that does not amuse me.«

The Count stood before him, the best-dressed man in London, fresh and gay as a bird, with not a care on his sparkling visage, and his eye bright with bonhomie. Care he knew nothing about; Time he defied; indisposition he could not comprehend. He had never been ill in his life, even for five minutes. Ferdinand was really very glad to see him; there was something in Count Mirabel's very presence which put everybody in good spirits. His lightheartedness was caught by all. Melancholy was a farce in the presence of his smile; and there was no possible combination of scrapes that could withstand his kind and brilliant raillery. Ceremony was a farce with Alcibiades de Mirabel.

He had the most perfect cabriolet in London. Ferdinand enjoyed his gaiety, as he listened to his light, lively tales, and his flying remarks, so full of merriment and poignant truth and daring fancy. Count Mirabel, who had the finest tact in the world.

Benjamin Disraeli: Henrietta Temple.