Through the open door at the far end your eye loses itself in a vista of other pompous chambers-the musicroom, the statue hall, the orangery; other rooms there are appertaining to the suite a ball-room fit for Babylon, a library that might have adorned Alexandria-but they are not lighted, nor required, on this occasion; it is strictly a family party, sixty guests and no more.

In the drawing-room three whisttables carry off the more elderly and grave. The piano, in the music-room, attracts a younger group. Lady Selina Vipont's eldest daughter Honoria, a young lady not yet brought out, but about to be brought out the next season, is threading a wonderfully intricate German piece,

"Linked music long drawn out," with variations. Her science is consummate. No pains have been spared on her education; elaborately accomplished, she is formed to be the sympathising spouse of a wealthy statesman. Lady Montfort is seated by an elderly duchess, who is good-natured, and a great talker; near her are seated two middle-aged gentlemen, who had been conversing with her till the duchess, having cut in, turned dialogue into monologue.

The elder of these two gentlemen is Mr Carr Vipont, bald, with clipped parliamentary whiskers; values himself on a likeness to Canning, but with a portlier presence-looks a large-acred man. Carr Vipont has about £40,000 a-year; has often refused office for himself, while taking care that other Viponts should have it; is a great authority in Committee business and the rules of the House of Commons; speaks very seldom, and at no great length, never arguing, merely stating his opinion, carries great weight with him, and as he votes, vote fifteen other members of the House of Vipont, besides admiring satellites. He can therefore turn divisions, and has decided the fate of cabinets. A pleasant man, a little consequential, but the reverse of haughty-unctuously overbearing. The other gentleman, to whom he is listening, is our old acquaintance Colonel Alban Vipont Morley--Darrell's friend-George's uncle-a man

of importance, not inferior, indeed, to that of his kinsman Carr; an authority in club-rooms, an oracle in drawing-rooms, a first-rate man of the beau monde. Alban Morley, a younger brother, had entered the Guards young; retired, young also, from the Guards with the rank of colonel, and on receipt of a legacy from an old aunt, which, with the interest derived from the sum at which he sold his commission, allowed him a clear income of £1000 a-year. This modest income sufficed for all his wants, fine gentleman though he was. He had refused to go into Parliament-refused a high place in a public department. Single himself, he showed his respect for wedlock by the interest he took in the marriages of other people,-just as Earl Warwick, too wise to set up for a king, gratified his passion for royalty by becoming the king-maker. The colonel was exceedingly accomplished, a very fair scholar, knew most modern languages. In painting an amateur, in music a connoisseur; witty at times, and with wit of a high quality, but thrifty in the expenditure of it; too wise to be known as a wit. Manly too, a daring rider, who had won many a fox's brush, a famous deer-stalker, and one of the few English gentlemen who still keep up the noble art of fencing-twice aweek to be seen, foil in hand, against all comers in Angelo's rooms. Thin, well-shaped,-not handsome, my dear young lady, far from it, but with an air so thoroughbred, that, had you seen him in the day when the operahouse had a crush-room and a fops' alley-seen him in either of those resorts, surrounded by elaborate dandies, and showy beauty-men-dandies and beauty-men would have seemed to you second-rate and vulgar; and the eye, fascinated by that quiet form --plain in manner, plain in dress, plain in feature--you would have said, "How very distinguished it is to be so plain!" Knowing the great world from the core to the cuticle, and on that knowledge basing authority and position, Colonel Morley was not calculating, not cunning,not suspicious. His sagacity the more quick because its movements were straightforward. Intimate with

the greatest, but sought, not seeking. Not a flatterer nor a parasite. But when his advice was asked (even if advice necessitated reproof), giving it with military candour. In fine, a man of such social reputation as rendered him an ornament and prop to the House of Vipont; and with unsuspected depths of intelligence and feeling which lay in the lower strata of his knowledge of this world, to witness of some other one, and justified Darrell in commending a boy like Lionel Haughton to the Colonel's friendly care and admonitory counsels. The Colonel, like other men, had his weakness, if weakness it can be called he believed that the House of Vipont was not merely the Corinthian capital, but the embattled keep -not merely the dulce decus, but the præsidium columenque rerum of the British monarchy. He did not boast of his connection with the House; he did not provoke your spleen by enlarging on its manifold virtues; he would often have his harmless jest against its members, or even against its pretensions, but such seeming evidences of forbearance or candour were cunning devices to mitigate envy. His devotion to the House was not obtrusive, it was profound. He loved the House of Vipont for the sake of England, he loved England for the sake of the House of Vipont. Had it been possible, by some tremendous reversal of the ordinary laws of nature, to dissociate the cause of England from the cause of the House of Vipont, the Colonel would have said-"Save at least the Ark of the Constitution! and rally round the old House!"

The Colonel had none of Guy Darrell's infirmity of family pride; he cared not a rush for mere pedigrees-much too liberal and enlightened for such obsolete prejudices. No! He knew the world too well not to be quite aware that old family and long pedigrees are of no use to a man if he has not some money or some merit. But it was of use to a man to be a cousin of the House of Vipont, though without any money, without any merit at all. It was of use to be part and parcel of a British institution; it was of use to have a legitimate indefeasible right to share in the admin

istration and patronage of an empire, on which (to use a novel illustration) "the sun never sets." You might want nothing for yourself-the Colonel and the Marquess equally wanted nothing for themselves; but man is not to be a selfish egotist! Man has cousins-his cousins may want something. Demosthenes denounces, in words that inflame every manly breast, the ancient Greek who does not love his POLIS or State, even though he take nothing from it but barren honour, and contribute towards it a great many disagreeable taxes. As the POLIS to the Greek, was the House of Vipont to Alban Vipont Morley. It was the most beautiful, touching affection imaginable! Whenever the House was in difficulties-whenever it was threatened by a CRISIS-the Colonel was by its side, sparing no pains, neglecting no means, to get the Ark of the Constitution back into smooth water. That duty done, he retired again into private life, and scorned all other reward than the still whisper of applauding conscience.

"Yes," said Alban Morley, whose voice, though low and subdued in tone, was extremely distinct, with a perfect enunciation—“Yes, it is quite true, my nephew has taken ordershis defect in speech, if not quite removed, has ceased to be any obstacle, even to eloquence; an occasional stammer may be effective-it increases interest, and when the right word comes, there is the charm of surprise in it. I do not doubt that George will be a very distinguished clergyman."

MR CARR VIPONT.-"We want one-the House wants a very distinguished clergyman; we have none at this moment - not a bishop -not even a dean; all mere parish parsons, and among them not one we could push. Very odd, with more than forty livings too. But the Viponts seldom take to the Church kindly-George must be pushed. The more think of it, the more we want a bishop: a bishop would be useful in the present CRISIS. (Looking round the rooms proudly, and softening his voice)-A numerous gathering, Morley! This demonstration will strike terror in Downing

Street-eh! The old House stands firm-never was a family so united all here, I think-that is, all worth naming-all, except Sir James, whom Montfort chooses to dislike, and George and George comes to-mor

row.

COLONEL MORLEY.-"You forget the most eminent of all our connections the one who could indeed strike terror into Downing Street, were his voice to be heard again!"

CARR VIPONT.-"Whom do you mean? Ah, I know!-Guy Darrell. His wife was a Vipont - and he is not here. But he has long since ceased to communicate with any of us-the only connection that ever fell away from the house of Vipontespecially in a CRISIS like the present. Singular man! For all the use he is to us, he might as well be dead! But he has a fine fortunewhat will he do with it?"

THE DUCHESS.-"My dear lady Montfort, you have hurt yourself with that paper-cutter."

LADY MONTFORT.-" No, indeed. Hush! we are disturbing Mr Carr Vipont."

The Duchess, in awe of Carr Vipont, sinks her voice, and gabbles on-whisperously.

CARR VIPONT (resuming the subject). "A very fine fortune-what will he do with it?"

COLONEL MORLEY. "I don't know, but I had a letter from him some months ago."

CARR VIPONT.-"You had-and never told me!"

COLONEL MORLEY.-"Ofno importance to you, my dear Carr. His letter merely introduced to me a charming young fellow-a kinsman of his own (no Vipont) - Lionel Haughton, son of poor Charlie Haughton, whom you may remember.”

CARR VIPONT.-"Yes, a handsome scamp-went to the dogs. So Darrell takes Charlie's son up what! as his heir?"

"In

his

COLONEL MORLEY. letter to me he anticipated that question in the negative."

CARR VIPONT. "Has Darrell any nearer kinsman?"

COLONEL MORLEY.-" Not that I know of."

CARR VIPONT.-"Perhaps he will

select one of his wife's family for his heir-a Vipont; I should not wonder.”

COLONEL MORLEY (dryly). “I should. But why may not Darrell marry again? I always thought he would I think SO still."

CARR VIPONT (glancing towards his Own daughter Honoria).— "Well, a wife well chosen might restore him to society, and to us. Pity, indeed, that so great an intellect should be suspended-a voice so eloquent hushed. You are right; in this CRISIS, Guy Darrell once more in the House of Commons, we should have all we require--an orator, a debater ! Very odd, but at this moment we have no speakers-WE, the Viponts!"

COLONEL MORLEY.-"Yourself?"

CARR VIPONT.-"You are too kind. I can speak on occasions; but regularly, no. Too much drudgery-not young enough to take to it now. So you think Darrell will marry again? A remarkably fine-looking fellow when I last saw him: not old yet; I dare say, well preserved. I wish I had thought of asking him here -Montfort!" (Lord Montfort, with one or two male friends, was passing by towards a billiard-room, opening through a side-door from the regular suite)-"Montfort! only think, we forgot to invite Guy Darrell. Is it too late before our party breaks up?"

LORD MONTFORT (sullenly)."I don't choose Guy Darrell to be invited to my house."

Carr Vipont was literally stunned by a reply so contumacious. Lord Montfort demur at what Carr Vipont suggested! He could not believe his senses.

"Not choose, my dear Montfort! you are joking. A monstrous clever fellow, Guy Darrell, and at this CRISIS-"

"I hate clever fellows-no such bores!" said Lord Montfort, breaking from the caressing clasp of Carr Vipont, and stalking away.

"Spare your regrets, my dear Carr," said Colonel Morley. "Darrell is not in England-I rather believe he is in Verona." Therewith the Colonel sauntered towards the group gathered round the piano. A little time after

wards Lady Montfort escaped from the Duchess,and, mingling courteously with her livelier guests, found herself close to Colonel Morley. "Will you give me my revenge at chess?" she asked, with her rare smile. The Colonel was charmed. As they sat down and ranged their men, Lady Montfort remarked carelessly

"I overheard you say you had lately received a letter from Mr Darrell. Does he write as if well-cheerful? You remember that I was much with his daughter, much in his house, when I was a child. He was ever most kind to me." Lady Montfort's voice here faltered.

"He writes with no reference to himself, his health or his spirits. But his young kinsman described him to me as in good health-wonderfully young-looking for his years. But cheerful-no! Darrell and I entered the world together; we were friends as much as a man so busy and so eminent as he could be friends with a man like myself, indolent by habit, and obscure out of Mayfair. I know his nature; we both know something of his family sorrows. He cannot be happy! Impossible!-alonechildless secluded. Poor Darrell, abroad now; in Verona, too!-the dullest place! in mourning still for Romeo and Juliet !-Tis your turn to move. In his letter Darrell talked of going on to Greece, Asia-penetrating into the depths of Africa-the wildest schemes! Dear County Guy, as we called him at Eton !-what a career his might have been! Don't let us talk of him, it makes me mournful. Like Goethe, I avoid painful subjects upon principle."

LADY MONTFORT." No-we will not talk of him. No-I take the Queen's pawn. No, we will not

talk of him!-no!"

The game proceeded; the Colonel was within three moves of checkmating his adversary. Forgetting the resolution come to, he said, as she paused, and seemed despondently meditating a hopeless defence

"Pray, my fair cousin, what makes Montfort dislike my old friend Darrell?"

"Dislike! Does he? I don't know.

Vanquished again, Colonel Morley!" She rose; and, as he restored the chessmen to their box, she leant thoughtfully over the table.

"This young kinsman, will he not be a comfort to Mr Darrell ?"

"He would be a comfort and a pride to a father; but to Darrell, so distant a kinsman-comfort!-why and how? Darrell will provide for him, that is all. A very gentlemanlike young man-gone to Paris by my advice wants polish and knowledge of life. When he comes back he must enter society; I have_put his name up at White's; may I`introduce him to you?"

Lady Montfort hesitated, and after a pause, said, almost rudely, "No."

She left the Colonel, slightly shrugging his shoulders, and passed into the billiard room with a quick step. Some ladies were already there, looking at the players. Lord Montfort was chalking his cue. Lady Montfort walked straight up to him; her colour was heightened; her lip was quivering she placed her hand on his shoulder, with a wife-like boldness. It seemed as if she had come there to seek him from an impulse of affection. She asked with a hurried fluttering kindness of voice, “If he had been successful?"-and called him by his Christian name. Lord Montfort's countenance, before merely apathetic, now assumed an expression of extreme distaste. to teach me to make a cannon, I suppose!" he said mutteringly, and turning from her, contemplated the balls and missed the cannon.

"Come

"Rather in my way, Lady Montfort," said he then, and retiring to a corner, said no more.

Lady Montfort's countenance became still more flushed. She lingered a moment, returned to the drawingroom, and for the rest of the evening was uncommonly animated, gracious, fascinating. As she retired with her lady guests for the night, she looked round, saw Colonel Morley, and held out her hand to him. "Your nephew comes here to-morrow," said she, "my old playfellow; impossible quite to forget old friends-good night."

The next day the gentlemen were dispersed out of doors-a large shooting party. Those who did not shoot, walked forth to inspect the racing stud or the model farm. The ladies had taken their walk; some were in their own rooms, some in the receptionrooms, at work, or reading, or listening to the piano-Honoria Carr Vipont again performing. Lady Montfort was absent; Lady Selina kindly supplied the hostess's place. Lady Selina was embroidering, with great skill and taste, a pair of slippers for her eldest boy, who was just entered at Oxford, having left Eton with a reputation of being the neatest dresser, and not the worst cricketer, of that renowned educational institute. It is a mistake to suppose that fine ladies are not sometimes very fond mothers and affectionate wives. Lady Selina, beyond her family circle, was trivial, unsympathising, cold-hearted, supercilious by temperament, never kind but through policy, artificial as clockwork. But in her own home, to her husband, her children, Lady Selina was a very good sort of woman. Devotedly attached to Carr Vipont, exaggerating his talents, thinking him the first man in England, careful of his honour, zealous for his interests, soothing in his cares, tender in his ailments. To her girls prudent and watchful—to her boys indulgent and caressing. Minutely attentive to the education of the first, according to her highbred ideas of education-and they really were superior" girls, with much instruction and wellbalanced minds. Less authoritative with the last, because boys being not under her immediate control, her sense of responsibility allowed her to display more fondness and less dignity in her intercourse with them than with young ladies who must learn from her example, as well as her precepts, the patrician decorum which becomes the smooth result of impulse restrained and emotion checked. Boys might make a noise in the world, girls should make none.

Lady Selina, then, was working the slippers for her absent son, her heart being full of him at that moment. She was describing his character, and expatiating on his promise to two or three attentive listeners, all interested, as being themselves of the Vipont brood, in the probable destiny of the heir to the Carr Viponts.

"In short," said Lady Selina, winding up," as soon as Reginald is of age we shall get him into Parliament. Carr has always lamented that he himself was not broken into office early; Reginald must be. Nothing so requisite for public men as early training-makes them practical, and not too sensitive to what those horrid newspaper men say. That was Pitt's great advantage. Reginald has ambition; he should have occupation to keep him out of mischief. It is an anxious thing for a mother, when a son is good-looking-such danger of his being spoiled by the womenyes, my dear, it is a small foot, very small-his father's foot."

"If Lord Montfort should have no family," said a somewhat distant and subaltern Vipont, whisperingly and hesitating, " does not the title "

"No, my dear," interrupted Lady Selina; "no, the title does not come to us. It is a melancholy thought, but the marquessate, in that case, is extinct. No other heir-male from Gilbert, the first Marquess. Carr says there is even likely to be some dispute about the earldom. The Barony, of course, is safe; goes with the Irish estates, and most of the English-and goes (don't you know?)

to Sir James Vipont, the last person who ought to have it; the quietest, stupidest creature; not brought up to the sort of thing-a mere gentleman farmer on a small estate in Devonshire."

"He is not here?"

"No. Lord Monfort does not like him. Very natural. Nobody does like his heir, if not his own child, and some people don't even like their own eldest sons! Shocking; but so