his coronation robes."

DARRELL.--"You have turned my question against myself with a kindliness
of intention that makes me forgive your belief in my vanity. Pass
on,--or rather pass back; you say you have tried all in life that
distracts or sweetens. Not so, lone bachelor; you have not tried
wedlock. Has not that been your mistake?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Answer for yourself. You have tried it." The words
were scarce out of his mouth ere he repented the retort; for Darrell
started as if stung to the quick; and his brow, before serene, his
lip, before playful, grew, the one darkly troubled, the other tightly
compressed. "Pardon me," faltered out the friend.

DARRELL.--"Oh, yes! I brought it on myself. What stuff we have been
talking! Tell me the news, not political, any other. But first, your
report of young Haughton. Cordial thanks for all your kindness to him.
You write me word that he is much improved,--most likeable; you add,
that at Paris he became the rage, that in London you are sure he will
be extremely popular. Be it so, if for his own sake. Are you quite sure
that it is not for the expectations which I come here to disperse?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Much for himself, I am certain; a little, perhaps,
because--whatever he thinks, and I say to the contrary--people seeing no
other heir to your property--"

"I understand," interrupted Darrell, quickly. "But he does not nurse
those expectations? he will not be disappointed?"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Verily I believe that, apart from his love for you and
a delicacy of sentiment that would recoil from planting hopes of wealth
in the graves of benefactors, Lionel Haughton would prefer carving his
own fortunes to all the ingots hewed out of California by another's hand
and bequeathed by another's will."

DARRELL.--"I am heartily glad to hear and to trust you."

COLONEL MORLEY.--"I gather from what you say that you are here with the
intention to--to--"

"Marry again," said Darrell, firmly. "Right. I am."

"I always felt sure you would marry again. Is the lady here too?"

"What lady?"

"The lady you have chosen."

"Tush! I have chosen none. I come here to choose; and in this I
ask advice from your experience. I would marry again! I! at my age!
Ridiculous! But so it is. You know all the mothers and marriageable
daughters that London--_arida nutrix_--rears for nuptial altars: where,
amongst them, shall I, Guy Darrell, the man whom you think so enviable,
find the safe helpma