cess of this delightful
breakfast by another festival in honour of the honeymoon? The bride
and bridegroom are going to Germany and the Tyrol, on their way to
Italy. I propose that we allow them a month to themselves, and that we
arrange to meet them afterwards in the North of Italy--say at Venice."

'This proposal was received with great applause, which was changed into
shouts of laughter by no less a person than my dear old nurse. The
moment Mr. Westwick pronounced the word "Venice," she started up among
the servants at the lower end of the room, and called out at the top of
her voice, "Go to our hotel, ladies and gentlemen! We get six per
cent. on our money already; and if you will only crowd the place and
call for the best of everything, it will be ten per cent. in our pockets
in no time. Ask Master Henry!"

'Appealed to in this irresistible manner, Mr. Westwick had no choice
but to explain that he was concerned as a shareholder in a new Hotel
Company at Venice, and that he had invested a small sum of money for
the nurse (not very considerately, as I think) in the speculation.
Hearing this, the company, by way of humouring the joke, drank a new
toast:--Success to the nurse's hotel, and a speedy rise in the dividend!

'When the conversation returned in due time to the more serious
question of the proposed meeting at Venice, difficulties began to
present themselves, caused of course by invitations for the autumn
which many of the guests had already accepted. Only two members of
Mrs. Carbury's family were at liberty to keep the proposed appointment.
On our side we were more at leisure to do as we pleased. Mr. Henry
Westwick decided to go to Venice in advance of the rest, to test the
accommodation of the new hotel on the opening day. Mrs. Norbury and
Mr. Francis Westwick volunteered to follow him; and, after some
persuasion, Lord and Lady Montbarry consented to a species of
compromise. His lordship could not conveniently spare time enough for
the journey to Venice, but he and Lady Montbarry arranged to accompany
Mrs. Norbury and Mr. Francis Westwick as far on their way to Italy as
Paris. Five days since, they took their departure to meet their
travelling companions in London; leaving me here in charge of the three
dear children. They begged hard, of course, to be taken with papa and
mamma. But it was thought better not to interrupt the progress of
their education, and not to expose them (especially the two younger
gi