:
all here, I think,--that is, all worth naming,--all, except Sir
James, whom Montfort chooses to dislike, and George--and George comes
to-morrow."

COLONEL MORLEY.--"You forget the most eminent of all our
connections,--the one who could indeed strike terror into Downing
Street, were his voice to be heard again!"

CARR VIPONT.--"Whom do you mean? Ah, I know! Guy Darrell. His wife was a
Vipont; and he is not here. But he has long since ceased to communicate
with any of us; the only connection that ever fell away from the House
of Vipont, especially in a CRISIS like the present. Singular man! For
all the use he is to us, he might as well be dead! But he has a fine
fortune: what will he do with it?"

THE DUCHESS.--"My dear Lady Montfort, you have hurt yourself with that
paper cutter."

LADY MONTFORT.--"NO, indeed. Hush! we are disturbing Mr. Carr Vipont!"

The Duchess, in awe of Carr Vipont, sinks her voice, and gabbles on,
whisperously.

CARR VIPONT (resuming the subject).--"A very fine fortune: what will he
do with it?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"I don't know; but I had a letter from him some months
ago."

CARR VIPONT.--"You had, and never told me!"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Of no importance to you, my dear Carr. His letter
merely introduced to me a charming young fellow,--a kinsman of his own
(no Vipont),--Lionel Haughton, son of poor Charlie Haughton, whom you
may remember."

CARR VIPONT.--"Yes, a handsome scamp; went to the dogs. So Darrell takes
up Charlie's son: what! as his heir?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"In his letter to me he anticipated that question in
the negative."

CARR VIPONT.--"Has Darrell any nearer kinsman?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Not that I know of."

CARR VIPONT.--"Perhaps he will select one of his wife's family for his
heir,--a Vipont; I should not wonder."

COLONEL MORLEY (dryly).--"I should. But why may not Darrell marry again?
I always thought he would; I think so still."

CARR VIPONT (glancing towards his own daughter Honoria).--"Well, a wife
well chosen might restore him to society, and to us. Pity, indeed, that
so great an intellect should be suspended,--a voice so eloquent hushed.
You are right; in this CRISIS, Guy Darrell once more in the House of
Commons, we should have all we require,--an orator, a debater! Very odd,
but at this moment we have no speakers,--WE the Viponts!"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Yourself!"

CARR VIPONT.--"You are too kind. I can speak on occasions; but
regularly, no. Too much