e a baronet, always a baronet. The dignity merges,
but does not cease; and happy as I am to see one covered with high
honours, who is in every way so worthy of them, still I confess to you
it is not so much as Earl de Mowbray that your worthy father interests
me, as in his undoubted character and capacity of Sir Altamont
Fitz-Warene, baronet."

"You have the data on which you move I suppose well digested," said Lady
Joan, attentive but not interested.

"The case is clear; as far as equity is concerned, irresistible; indeed
the late king pledged himself to a certain point. But if you would do me
the favour of reading our memorial."

"The proposition is not one adapted to our present civilisation," said
Lady Joan. "A baronetcy has become the distinction of the middle class;
a physician, our physician for example, is a baronet; and I dare say
some of our tradesmen; brewers, of people of that class. An attempt to
elevate them into an order of nobility, however inferior, would partake
in some degree of the ridiculous."

"And has the duke escaped his gout this year?" enquired Lord Marney of
Lady de Mowbray.

"A very slight touch; I never knew my father so well. I expect you will
meet him here. We look for him daily."

"I shall be delighted; I hope he will come to Marney in October. I keep
the blue ribbon cover for him."

"What you suggest is very just," said Egremont to Lady Maud. "If we only
in our own spheres made the exertion, the general effect would be great.
Marney Abbey, for instance, I believe one of the finest of our monastic
remains,--that indeed is not disputed--diminished yearly to repair
barns; the cattle browsing in the nave; all this might be prevented, If
my brother would not consent to preserve or to restore, still any member
of the family, even I, without expense, only with a little zeal as you
say, might prevent mischief, might stop at least demolition."

"If this movement in the church had only revived a taste for Christian
architecture," said Lady Maud, "it would not have been barren, and it
has done so much more! But I am surprised that old families can be so
dead to our national art; so full of our ancestors, their exploits,
their mind. Indeed you and I have no excuse for such indifference Mr
Egremont."

"And I do not think I shall ever again be justly accused of it," replied
Egremont, "you plead its cause so effectively. But to tell you the
truth, I have been thinking of late about these thi