, for our fortunes!' cried the Duke, as he drew forth his
ticket. 'I believe I 'm the lucky one: this is number 2000.'

"'Two thousand and one!' exclaimed Lord E------, holding up his, and,
in an ecstasy of triumph, sat down to recover himself.

"'Here is the key, my Lord,' said one of the party, advancing towards
him.

"He sprang up, and thrust it into the lock; in his agitation he shook
the box, and a slight, soft cadence, like a faint cry, was heard.

"' The soul of music hovers o'er it still,' he exclaimed theatrically,
and, flinging back the lid, discovered--Me! Yes, ladies and gentlemen,
in a very smart white robe, with very tasty embroidery, and a lace cap
which I am assured was pure Valenciennes, there I lay! I am not aware
whether my infantine movements were peculiarly seductive or not; but
I have been told that I went through my gamut at a key that even
overtopped the iaughter around me.

"'A very bad jest--a _mauvaise plaisanterie_ of the worst taste, I must
say,' said Lord E------turning away, and leaving the room.

[Illustration: 284]

"I never rightly knew how the matter was afterwards made up, but
certainly it was by his lordship's directions, and at his charge, that
I was nursed, reared, and educated. My expenses at Eton and Oxford, as
well as the cost of my commission, came from him; and it was only a few
days ago, on learning his death, that I also learned the termination
of my good fortune in life. He bequeathed me what he styled my 'family
mansio,'--the fiddle-case; thus repaying by this cruel jest the
practical joke passed upon himself so many years before."

"What name did they give you, sir?"

"'I was called after the celebrated violinist of Cremona who lived
in the seventh century, who was named Cornelius Crejanus, or, as some
spell, Creganus; and, in compliance with modern usages, they anglicized
me into Con Cregan."

"I have the honor to propose Con Cregan's health." said the president;
"and may he see many happy years ere he next goes to sleep in a wooden
box!"

This very gratifying toast was drunk with the most flattering
acclamations, and I descended from the tribune the "man of the evening."

If some of the company who put credence in my story did not hesitate to
ascribe a strong interest in me to the Royal Duke himself, others, who
put less faith in my narrative, thought less of my parentage, and more
of myself; so that what I lost on one hand, I gained on the other.

There