painted, and its furniture became the rest of
its decorations. On one sofa were a number of portfolios, some open,
full of drawings of costumes; a table of pietra dura was covered with
richly bound volumes that appeared to have been recently referred to;
several ancient swords of extreme beauty were lying on a couch; in
a corner of the room was a figure in complete armour, black and gold
richly inlaid, and grasping in its gauntlet the ancient standard of
England.

The two delegates of the National Convention stared at each other, as
if to express their surprise that a dweller in such an abode should ever
have permitted them to enter it; but ere either of them could venture to
speak, Lord Valentine made his appearance.

He was a young man, above the middle height, slender, broad-shouldered,
small-waisted, of a graceful presence; he was very fair, with dark blue
eyes, bright and intelligent, and features of classic precision; a small
Greek cap crowned his long light-brown hair, and he was enveloped in a
morning robe of Indian shawls.

"Well, gentlemen," said his lordship, as he invited them to be seated,
in a clear and cheerful voice, and with an unaffected tone of frankness
which put his guests at their ease; "I promised to see you; well, what
have you got to say?"

The delegates made their accustomed statement; they wished to pledge no
one; all that the people desired was a respectful discussion of their
claims; the national petition, signed by nearly a million and a half of
the flower of the working classes, was shortly to be presented to the
House of Commons, praying the House to take into consideration the
five points in which the working classes deemed their best interests
involved; to wit, universal suffrage, vote by ballot, annual
parliaments, salaried members, and the abolition of the property
qualification.

"And supposing these five points conceded," said Lord Valentine, "what
do you mean to do?"

"The people then being at length really represented," replied one of the
delegates, "they would decide upon the measures which the interests of
the great majority require."

"I am not so clear about that," said Lord Valentine; "that is the very
point at issue. I do not think the great majority are the best judges of
their own interests. At all events, gentlemen, the respective advantages
of aristocracy and democracy are a moot point. Well then, finding the
question practically settled in this country, you wil