looks official, eh?"

"Exactly, my Lord; you even surmise that it may prove an appointment you
have solicited for one of your numerous _proteges_,--something in the
Colonies, or the 'troop,' without purchase, in the Blues?"

Lord Kilgoff laughed--for him, heartily--at Linton's concurrence in his
humor, and went on,--

"And when I open it, Linton, and read the contents, eh?"

Here he paused, as if asking what effect his astute friend would ascribe
to such pleasant tidings.

"I think I see your Lordship throw the heavy packet from you with a
'pshaw!' of disappointment; while you mutter to your next neighbor, 'I
have been warding off this these two or three last years; but there's no
help for it: the King insists upon my taking the mission at Florence!'"

"I must say, Mr. Linton, your conjecture strikes me as strained and
unnatural. The appointment to represent my august master at the court of
Tuscany might be a worthy object of my ambition. I cannot agree with the
view you take of it."

Linton saw that he had "charged too far," and hastened to secure his
retreat.

"I spoke, my Lord, rather with reference to your regret at quitting
the scenes of your natural influence at home, of withdrawing from this
distracted country the high example of your presence, the wisdom of your
counsels, the munificence of your charity. These are sad exports at such
a time as this!"

Lord Kilgoflf sighed, he sighed heavily; he knew Ireland had gone
through many trials and afflictions, but the dark future which Linton
pictured had never presented itself so full of gloom before. He
doubtless felt that when he left the ship she would not long survive the
breakers; and, sunk in these reveries, he walked along at Linton's side
till they gained the picture-gallery, at one extremity of which lay the
boudoir we have spoken of.

"Poor things, my Lord!" said Linton, shrugging his shoulders as he
passed along, and casting a contemptuous glance at the apocryphal
Vandykes and Murillos around, and for whose authenticity he had himself,
in nearly every case, been the guarantee.

Lord Kilgoff gave a fleeting look at them, but said nothing; and Linton,
to occupy time, went on,--

"New men, like our friend here, should never aspire above the
Flemish school. Your Cuyps, and Hobbemas, and Vanderveldes are easily
understood, and their excellences are soon learned. Even Mieris and
Gerard Dow are open to such connoisseurship; but, to feel the calm
nob