he writer of this history that the
inhabitants of London are scarcely sufficiently sensible of the beauty
of its environs. On every side the most charming retreats open to them,
nor is there a metropolis in the world surrounded by so many rural
villages, picturesque parks, and elegant casinos. With the exception
of Constantinople, there is no city in the world that can for a
moment enter into competition with it. For himself, though in his time
something of a rambler, he is not ashamed in this respect to confess to
a legitimate Cockney taste; and for his part he does not know where life
can flow on more pleasantly than in sight of Kensington Gardens, viewing
the silver Thames winding by the bowers of Rosebank, or inhaling from
its terraces the refined air of graceful Richmond.

In exactly ten minutes it is in the power of every man to free himself
from all the tumult of the world; the pangs of love, the throbs of
ambition, the wear and tear of play, the recriminating boudoir, the
conspiring club, the rattling hell; and find himself in a sublime sylvan
solitude superior to the cedars of Lebanon, and inferior only in extent
to the chestnut forests of Anatolia. Kensington Gardens is almost the
only place that has realised his idea of the forests of Spenser and
Ariosto. What a pity, that instead of a princess in distress we meet
only a nurserymaid! But here is the fitting and convenient locality to
brood over our thoughts; to project the great and to achieve the
happy. It is here that we should get our speeches by heart, invent our
impromptus; muse over the caprices of our mistresses, destroy a cabinet,
and save a nation.

About the time that Ferdinand directed his steps from these green
retreats towards Berkeley-Square, a servant summoned Miss Temple to her
father.

'Is papa alone?' enquired Miss Temple.

'Only my lord with him,' was the reply.

'Is Lord Montfort here!' said Miss Temple, a little surprised.

'My lord has been with master these three hours,' said the servant.

CHAPTER XXIII.

_Ferdinand Receives the Most Interesting Invitation to
Dinner Ever Offered to Him_.

IS NOT it wonderful?' said Ferdinand, when he had finished his history
to Count Mirabel.

'Not the least,' said the Count, 'I never knew anything less surprising.
'Tis exactly what I said, 'tis the most natural termination in the
world.'

'Ah, my dear Mirabel, you are a prophet! What a lucky fellow I am to
have such a fri