" and he looked at his watch.

"Oh, ay; the old peer," replied his lordship, in a languid voice,
"coming as a missionary to reform the profane and infidel. I wish he
would let me alone, and subscribe to the Missionary Society at once."

"But, my dear Dunroe, are you asleep?"

"Very nearly, I believe. I wish I was."

"But what's to be done with certain of these pictures? You don't intend
his lordship should see them, I hope?"

"No; certainly not, Tom. We must have them removed. Will you see about
it, Tom, like a good fellow? Stow them, however, in some safe place,
where they won't be injured."

"Those five must go," said Norton.

"No," replied his lordship, "let the Magdalen stay; it will look like a
tendency to repentance, you know, and the old peer may like it."

"Dunroe, my dear fellow, you know I make no pretence to religion; but
I don't relish the tone in which you generally speak of that most
respectable old nobleman, your father."

"Don't you, Tom? Well, but, I say, the idea of a most respectable old
nobleman is rather a shabby affair. It's merely the privilege of age,
Tom. I hope I shall never live to be termed a most respectable old
nobleman. Pshaw, my dear Tom, it is too much. It's a proof that he wants
character."

"I wish, in the mean time, Dunroe, that you and I had as much of that
same commodity as the good old peer could spare us."

"Well, I suppose you do, Tom; I dare say. My sister is coming with him
too."

"Yes; so he says in the letter."

"Well, I suppose I must endure that also; an aristocratic lecture on the
one hand, and the uncouth affections of a hoiden on the other. It's hard
enough, though."

Tom now rang the bell, and in a few moments a servant entered.

"Wilcox," said Norton, "get Taylor and M'Intyre to assist you in
removing those five pictures; place them carefully in the green closet,
which you will lock."

"Yes, carefully, Wilcox," said his lordship; "and afterwards give the
key to Mr. Norton."

"Yes, my lord."

In a few minutes the paintings were removed, and the conversation began
where it had been left off.

"This double visit, Tom, will be a great bore. I wish I could avoid
it--philosophized by the father, beslobbered by the sister--faugh!"

"These books, too, my lord, had better be put aside, I think."

"Well, I suppose so; lock them in that drawer."

Norton did so, and then proceeded. "Now, my dear Dunroe--"

"Tom," said his lordship, interrupting him, "