uff-boxes and patch-boxes beautifully painted, exquisite miniatures,
rare fans, cups of agate, birds glittering with gems almost as radiant
as the tropic plumage they imitated, wild animals cut out of ivory,
or formed of fantastic pearls--all the spoils of queens and royal
mistresses.

Upon the walls were drawings of her various homes; that of her
childhood, as well as of the hearths she ruled and loved. There were
a few portraits on the walls also of those whom she ranked as her
particular friends. Lord Roehampton was one, another was the Count of
Ferroll.

Time went on; on a little table, by the side of evidently her favourite
chair, was a book she had been reading. It was a German tale of fame,
and Endymion, dropping into her seat, became interested in a volume
which hitherto he had never seen, but of which he had heard much.

Perhaps he had been reading for some time; there was a sound, he started
and looked up, and then, springing from his chair, he said, "Something
has happened!"

Lady Montfort was quite pale, and the expression of her countenance
distressed, but when he said these words she tried to smile, and said,
"No, no, nothing, nothing,--at least nothing to distress you. My lord
hopes you will be able to dine with him to-day, and tell him all the
news." And then she threw herself into a chair and sighed. "I should
like to have a good cry, as the servants say--but I never could cry. I
will tell you all about it in a moment. You were very good not to go."

It seems that Lady Montfort saw her lord before the agent, who was
waiting, had had his interview, and the opportunity being in every
way favourable, she felt the way about obtaining his cousin's seat
for Endymion. Lord Montfort quite embraced this proposal. It had never
occurred to him. He had no idea that Ferrars contemplated parliament.
It was a capital idea. He could not bear reading the parliament reports,
and yet he liked to know a little of what was going on. Now, when
anything happened of interest, he should have it all from the
fountain-head. "And you must tell him, Berengaria," he continued, "that
he can come and dine here whenever he likes, in boots. It is a settled
thing that M.P.'s may dine in boots. I think it a most capital plan.
Besides, I know it will please you. You will have your own member."

Then he rang the bell, and begged Lady Montfort to remain and see the
agent. Nothing like the present time for business. They would make all