so well in his uniform, that Silverbridge almost regretted the
opportunity he had lost. At seven the sitting was over, the speeches,
though full of interest, having been shorter than usual. They had
been full of interest, but nobody understood in the least what was
going to happen. "I don't know anything about the Prime Minister,"
said Mr. Lupton as he left the House with our hero and another not
very staunch supporter of the Government, "but I'll back Sir Timothy
to be the Leader of the House on the last day of the Session, against
all comers. I don't think it much matters who is Prime Minister
nowadays."

At half-past seven Silverbridge was at the door in Brook Street. Yes;
Miss Boncassen was at home. The servant thought that she was upstairs
dressing. Then Silverbridge made his way without further invitation
into the drawing-room. There he remained alone for ten minutes.
At last the door opened, and Mrs. Boncassen entered. "Dear Lord
Silverbridge, who ever dreamed of seeing you? I thought all you
Parliament gentlemen were going through your ceremonies. Isabel had a
ticket and went down, and saw your father."

"Where is Isabel?"

"She's gone."

"Gone! Where on earth has she gone to?" asked Silverbridge, as though
fearing lest she had been carried off to the other side of the
Atlantic. Then Mrs. Boncassen explained. Within the last three
minutes Mrs. Montacute Jones had called and carried Isabel off to the
play. Mrs. Jones was up in town for a week, and this had been a very
old engagement. "I hope you did not want her very particularly," said
Mrs. Boncassen.

"But I did,--most particularly," said Lord Silverbridge. The door was
opened and Mr. Boncassen entered the room. "I beg your pardon for
coming at such a time," said the lover, "but I did so want to see
Isabel."

"I rather think she wants to see you," said the father.

"I shall go to the theatre after her."

"That might be awkward,--particularly as I doubt whether anybody
knows what theatre they are gone to. Can I receive a message for her,
my lord?" This was certainly not what Lord Silverbridge had intended.
"You know, perhaps, that I have seen the Duke."

"Oh yes;--and I have seen him. Everything is settled."

"That is the only message she will want to hear when she comes home.
She is a happy girl and I am proud to think that I should live to
call such a grand young Briton as you my son-in-law." Then the
American took the young man's two hands and s