inguished orator. The buzz of admiration as
he passed--louder than in drawing-rooms more refined--would have had
sweeter music than Grisi's most artful quaver to a vainer man--nay, once
on a time to him. But--sugar plums come too late! He gained the corner,
and roused the solitary sitter.

"My dear Mr. Hartopp, do you not remember me--Guy Darrell?"

"Mr. Darrell!" cried the ex-mayor of Gatesboro', rising, "who could
think that you would remember me?"

"What! not remember those ten stubborn voters, on whom, all and singly,
I had lavished my powers of argument in vain? You came, and with the
brief words, 'John--Ned--Dick--oblige me--vote for Darrell!' the men
were convinced--the votes won. That's what I call eloquence"--(sotto
voce--"Confound that fellow! still after me!" Aside to Hartopp)--"Oh!
may I ask who is that Mr. What's-his-name--there--in the white
waistcoat?"

"Poole," answered Hartopp. "Who is he, sir? A speculative man. He is
connected with a new Company--I am told it answers. Williams (that's my
foreman--a very long head he has too) has taken shares in the Company,
and wanted me to do the same, but 'tis not in my way. And Mr. Poole may
be a very honest man, but he does not impress me with that idea. I have
grown careless; I know I am liable to be taken in--I was so once--and
therefore I avoid 'Companies' upon principle--especially when they
promise thirty per cent., and work copper mines--Mr. Poole has a copper
mine."

"And deals in brass--you may see it in his face! But you are not in
town for good, Mr. Hartopp? If I remember right, you were settled at
Gatesboro' when we last met."

"And so I am still--or rather in the neighbourhood. I am gradually
retiring from business, and grown more and more fond of farming. But I
have a family, and we live in enlightened times, when children require a
finer education than their parents had. Mrs. Hartopp thought my daughter
Anna Maria was in need of some 'finishing lessons'--very fond of the
harp is Anna Maria--and so we have taken a house in London for six
weeks. That's Mrs. Hartopp yonder, with the bird on her head--bird of
paradise, I believe; Williams says birds of that kind never rest. That
bird is an exception--it has rested on Mrs. Hartopp's head for hours
together, every evening since we have been in town."

"Significant of your connubial felicity, Mr. Hartopp."

"May it be so of Anna Maria' s. She is to be married when her education
is finished--marrie