are all settled as closely as your prudence could wish, and my will is made. If you do not see me in a year from this date, you may conclude it is unlikely you will ever again meet with your friend"CAVENDISH."

CHAPTER IX.

This Ciacco, though very poor, was fond of excellent living; and, that he might have greater enjoyment, made a buffoon of himself. He was a very pleasant and excellent talker-a man that always had news for conversation, and used to frequent the houses of the rich, where his talk was as acceptable to them as their table was to him.-Commentary on Dante.

THE room in which Tremore found himself when he woke, was widely different from that in which sleep overpowered him during his interview with the stranger the preceding evening. As he lay in a state of dreamy consciousness, the soft chimes of a clock sounded on his ear. He counted the strokes as they fell, numbered them to eight, and then sprang up with a feeling of apprehension for the rebuke he must expect for being too late at his scholastic duties. He looked round, and instantly comprehended that his wishes had been realized. The apartment was spacious, and magnificently furnished. The lofty canopied bed, with its rich silk

hangings, and some ottomans at its sides, indicated the use of the room; but even the inexperienced eye of Florian could mark, that a noble fortune must have been spent in the pictures on the walls, and the numberless articles of elegance and luxury tastefully disposed in the chamber. It seemed every preparation had been made for his arrival 1; he found fine linen, a robe de chambre, and morning garments which fitted him to perfection, ready for his use. He went to the large bow-window, drew aside the curtain and raised the blind. An enchanting prospect lay before him. Large beds of glowing flowers and broad walks bordered the house; beyond were smoothly shaven lawns, swelling into gentle eminences, and varied with groups of foliage, and groves of flowering shrubs. Spacious sheets of water gleamed in the distance, shaded by thick woods, which, combined with meadows and herds of deer, presented an appearance of the most delightful sylvan scenery.

As he looked, he had not the most distant idea to what part of the country he had been conveyed. He recollected nothing of his journey, yet he imagined he must have been taken a considerable distance. In this

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he was deceived. The mansion was merely one of those appendages of the highest rank, which are maintained for the convenience of giving a fête once or twice in the season, and for furnishing a supply of fruit and dairy produce to the town establishment.

The movement of Florian summoned a valet to his side. He rapidly considered his position, and, thinking assent his safest course, consented to take the bath previous to dressing. Naturally quick, he resolved on an ambiguous form of expression, and asked his attendant in a careless man"How soon can I get to town from

ner,

here?"

In fifty-five minutes, he was told, if he drove; but there was even a shorter way by proceeding to the station, about a mile distant. By that route the palace can be reached in half an hour."

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The palace! the face of Tremore glowed, and he experienced a feeling of trepidation as if he were already entering the presence of royalty. But, hiding his confusion, he inquired concerning the shooting in the vicinity, and soon gathered a correct idea of his location in reference to Hyde-park corner, and learned, besides, that he was regarded

as the master of that house, and of several others far more splendid and spacious.

The ceremonies of the toilet were performed greatly to his satisfaction. Certainly there are some temperaments indolently luxurious-temperaments which love to linger over and prolong the pleasures of sense to hold the bright wine to the eye before putting it to the lips-to retain the hand of a fair partner when the waltz has ended to hum a favourite opera air after the encore has ceased. Of this disposition was Tremore. His time passed quickly as he contemplated his face and figure in the different glasses of his dressing-room, and went through operations which he found equally new and delightful.

Whatever sneers may be directed against foppishness, it is certain that the time thus taken from the morning is not misspent. It is doubtful whether the two or three hours spent in dressing the head in the days of powder, were wholly lost. The mental faculties, on awakening from sleep, require some time to arrange themselves, as the body demands an interval between perfect repose and active exertion. Napoleon never thought his time wasted in his bath; nor did