a Simon de Montfort
again I should be content to fight under his banner."

"We have an aristocracy of wealth," said the delegate who had chiefly
spoken. "In a progressive civilization wealth is the only means of class
distinction: but a new disposition of wealth may remove even this."

"Ah! you want to get at our estates," said Lord Valentine smiling; "but
the effort on your part may resolve society into its original elements,
and the old sources of distinction may again develope themselves."

"Tall barons will not stand against Paixhans rockets," said the
delegate. "Modern science has vindicated the natural equality of man."

"And I must say I am very sorry for it," said the other delegate;
"for human strength always seems to me the natural process of settling
affairs."

"I am not surprised at your opinion," said Lord Valentine, turning to
the delegate and smiling. "I should not be over-glad to meet you in a
fray. You stand some inches above six feet, or I am mistaken."

"I was six feet two inches when I stopped growing," said the delegate;
"and age has not stolen any of my height yet."

"That suit of armour would fit you," said Lord Valentine, as they all
rose.

"And might I ask your lordship," said the tall delegate, "why it is
here?"

"I am to represent Richard Coeur de Lion at the Queen's ball," said Lord
Valentine; "and before my sovereign I will not don a Drury-Lane cuirass,
so I got this up from my father's castle."

"Ah! I almost wish the good old times of Coeur de Lion were here again,"
said the tall delegate.

"And we should be serfs," said his companion.

"I am not sure of that," said the tall delegate. "At any rate there was
the free forest."

"I like that young fellow," said the tall delegate to his companion, as
they descended the staircase.

"He has awful prejudices," said his friend.

"Well, well; he has his opinions and we have ours. But he is a man;
with clear, straightforward ideas, a frank, noble, presence; and as
good-looking a fellow as I ever set eyes on. Where are we now?"

"We have only one more name on our list to-day, and it is at hand.
Letter K, No.1, Albany. Another member of the aristocracy, the
Honourable Charles Egremont."

"Well, I prefer them, as far as I can judge, to Wriggle, and Rip, and
Thorough Base," said the tall delegate laughing. "I dare say we should
have found Lord Milford a very jolly fellow, if he had only been up."

"Here we are," said his companion