the Thames and the gardens of the Temple. Though piles of parchments
and papers cover the numerous tables, and in many parts intrude upon the
Turkey carpet, an air of order, of comfort, and of taste, pervades the
chamber. The hangings of crimson damask silk blend with the antique
furniture of oak; the upper panes of the windows are tinted by the
brilliant pencil of feudal Germany, while the choice volumes that line
the shelves are clothed in bindings which become their rare contents.
The master of this apartment was a man of ordinary height, inclined to
corpulency, and in the wane of middle life, though his unwrinkled cheek,
his undimmed blue eye, and his brown hair, very apparent, though he wore
a cap of black velvet, did not betray his age, or the midnight studies
by which he had in a great degree acquired that learning for which he
was celebrated. The general expression of his countenance was pleasing,
though dashed with a trait of the sinister. He was seated in an easy
chair, before a kidney table at which he was writing. Near at hand was a
long tall oaken desk, on which were several folio volumes open, and some
manuscripts which denoted that he had recently been engaged with them.
At present Mr Hatton, with his pen still in his hand and himself in a
chamber-robe of the same material as his cap, leant back in his chair,
while he listened to his client, Sir Vavasour. Several most beautiful
black and tan spaniels of the breed of King Charles the Second were
reposing near him on velvet cushions, with a haughty luxuriousness which
would have become the beauties of the merry monarch; and a white Persian
cat with blue eyes and a very long tail, with a visage not altogether
unlike that of its master, was resting with great gravity on the
writing-table, and assisting at the conference.

Sir Vavasour had evidently been delivering himself of a long narrative,
to which Mr Hatton had listened with that imperturbable patience which
characterised him, and which was unquestionably one of the elements
of his success. He never gave up anything, and he never interrupted
anybody. And now in a silvery voice he replied to his visitor:

"What you tell me, Sir Vavasour, is what I foresaw, but which, as my
influence could not affect it, I dismissed from my thoughts. You came
to me for a specific object. I accomplished it. I undertook to ascertain
the rights and revive the claims of the baronets of England. That
was what you required me: