of passing his winter, was a piece of news that occupied every
tongue in the city. Gossips were questioned about the private history,
the peerage consulted for such facts as were public. Sir Stafford's
wealth was actively discussed, and all possible inroads upon it his
son's extravagance might have made debated and decided on. A minute
investigation into their probable reasons for leaving England was also
instituted, in which conjectures far more ingenious than true figured
prominently. What they were like what they said, did, and meant to do
was the sole table-talk of the capital.

"They've had their horses out from England," said one; "They 've
taken the best box at the Pergola," said another; "They've engaged
Midchekoff's cook," said a third; "They 've been speaking to Gridani
about his band," chimed in a fourth; and so on. All their proceedings
were watched and followed by that eager vulturehood which hungers for
ortolans, and thirsts for iced champagne.

Nor were the Onslows without offering food for this curious solicitude.
From the hour of her arrival, Lady Hester had been deeply engaged, in
concert with her grand vizier, Albert Jekyl, in preparations for the
coming campaign. An army of upholsterers, decorators, and such-like,
beset the Palazzo with enormous vans crammed full of wares. Furniture,
that had served royal guests, and was even yet in high preservation, was
condemned, to give way to newer and more costly decoration. Rich stuffs
and hangings that had been the admiration of many a visitor, were
ruthlessly pulled down, to be replaced by even more gorgeous materials;
till at last it was whispered about that, except some antique cabinets,
the pictures, and a few tables of malachite or marble, little or nothing
remained of what once constituted the splendor of the place.

These were mere rumors, however; for as yet, none, save Albert Jekyl
himself, had seen the interior; and from him, unless disposed to accord
it, all Confidence was hopeless. Indeed, his little vague stare when
questioned; his simpering, "I shouldn't wonder," "It is very likely," or
"Now that you mention it, I begin to think so too," would have disarmed
the suspicion of all who had not studied him deeply. What the Onslows
were going to do, and when they would do it, were, then, the vexed
questions of every coterie. In a few days more the Carnival would begin,
and yet no announcement of their intentions had yet gone forth, no
programme of f