ence and novelty, must
sweep away all discontents, and gratify every class.

Lord Montfort had placed unlimited resources at the disposal of
Berengaria for the fulfilment of her purpose, and at times even showed
some not inconsiderable though fitful interest in her progress. He
turned over the drawings of the various costumes and armour with a
gracious smile, and, having picked up on such subjects a great deal of
knowledge, occasionally made suggestions which were useful and sometimes
embarrassing. The heralds were all called into council, and Garter
himself deigned to regulate the order of proceedings. Some of the finest
gentlemen in London, of both parties in the state, passed the greater
part of their spring mornings in jousting, and in practising all the
manoeuvres of the lists. Lady Montfort herself was to be the Queen of
the Tournament, and she had prevailed on Lady Roehampton to accept the
supreme office of Queen of Beauty.

It was the early part of May, and Zenobia held one of her great
assemblies. Being in high good humour, sanguine and prophetic of power,
she had asked all the great Whig ladies, and, the times being critical,
they had come. Berengaria seemed absorbed by the details of her
tournament. She met many of her knights, and she conferred with them
all; the Knight of the Bleeding Heart, the Knight of Roses, the Knight
of the Crystal Shield.

Endymion, who was not to be a knight, but a gentleman-at-arms in
attendance on the Queen of the Tournament, mentioned that Prince
Florestan much wished to be a jouster; he had heard this from the
Duke of St. Angelo, and Lady Montfort, though she did not immediately
sanction, did not absolutely refuse, the request.

Past midnight, there was a sudden stir in the saloons. The House of
Commons had broken up and many members were entering. There had been a
division on the Jamaica question, and the ministers had only a majority
of five. The leader of the House of Commons had intimated, not to say
announced, their consequent resignation.

"Have you heard what they say?" said Endymion anxiously to Lady
Montfort.

"Yes, I heard; but do not look so grave."

"Do I look grave?"

"As if it were the last day."

"I fear it is."

"I am not so sure. I doubt whether Sir Robert thinks it ripe enough;
and after all, we are not in a minority. I do not see why we should have
resigned. I wish I could see Lord Roehampton."

Affairs did not proceed so rapidly as the triumpha