"There can be no doubt of it," interposed the _attache_ with a grand and
positive air; "unless, indeed, the Englishman were of a rank equal to her
own."

Here there was a slight, well-bred murmur and buzz at the doors; for the
Count di Peschiera himself was announced; and as he entered, his presence
was so striking, and his beauty so dazzling, that whatever there might be
to the prejudice of his character, it seemed instantly effaced or
forgotten in that irresistible admiration which it is the prerogative of
personal attributes alone to create.

The Prince, with a slight curve of his lip at the groups that collected
round the Count, turned to Randal and said, "Can you tell me if a
distinguished countryman of yours is in England--Lord L'Estrange?"

"No, Prince--he is not. You know him?"

"Well."

"He is acquainted with the Count's kinsman; and perhaps from him you have
learned to think so highly of that kinsman?"

The Prince bowed, and answered as he moved away, "When a man of high honor
vouches for another, he commands the belief of all."

"Certainly," soliloquized Randal, "I must not be precipitate. I was very
nearly falling into a terrible trap. If I were to marry the girl, and
only, by so doing, settle away her inheritance on Peschiera!--How hard it
is to be sufficiently cautious in this world!"

While thus meditating, a member of Parliament tapped him on the shoulder.

"Melancholy, Leslie! I lay a wager I guess your thoughts."

"Guess," answered Randal.

"You were thinking of the place you are so soon to lose."

"Soon to lose!"

"Why, if ministers go out, you could hardly keep it, I suppose."

This ominous and horrid member of Parliament, Squire Hazeldean's favorite
county member, Sir John, was one of those legislators especially odious to
officials--an independent "large-acred" member, who would no more take
office himself than he would cut down the oaks in his park, and who had no
bowels of human feeling for those who had opposite tastes and less
magnificent means.

"Hem!" said Randal, rather surlily. "In the first place, Sir John,
ministers are not going out."

"Oh yes, they will go. You know I vote with them generally, and would
willingly keep them in; but they are men of honor and spirit; and if they
can't carry their measures, they must resign; otherwise, by Jove, I would
turn round and vote them out myself!"

"I have no doubt you would, Sir John; you are quite capable of it; that
rest