le in the
perplexed condition of some one of mediaeval times, who has entered into
a bargain for supernatural interference, and is not quite certain
whether to wish that the compact may be really carried out or that it
may prove to have been only the figment of a dream.

"I'm told we ought to have some poems done," Money went on to say. "Not
merely squibs, you know, but appeals about right and justice, and the
cause of oppressed humanity, and all that."

"I'm sure Minola could do some beautifully!" Lucy exclaimed, looking
beseechingly toward her friend.

"Oh, no; I couldn't indeed! My appeals would be dreadfully weak; they
could not rouse the spirits of any mortal creature. Now, if we only had
Mary Blanchet!"

This, it must be owned, was Minola's fun, but it gave an idea to Mr.
Money.

"Tell you what," he said; "we ought to have her brother--the bard you
used to call him, Lucelet."

"Oh, no, papa; indeed I never called him anything of the kind. I never
did, indeed, Nola."

"Well, whatever you called him, Lucelet, we can't do better than to
have him. We'll put Pegasus into harness, by Jove--a capital good use
to make of him too. I'll write to what's-his-name?--Blanchet--at once."

"But I don't think he would like it, papa; I think he would take
offence at the idea of your asking him to do poems for an election. I
don't think he would come."

"Oh, yes, he would come; we would make it worth his while. These young
fellows give themselves airs to make you girls admire them, that they
never think of trying on with men. It would be a rather telling thing
here too if it got about that we had brought a real poet specially down
from London. I'll write at once."

This seemed rather alarming to Minola.

"I doubt whether Mr. Heron would much like it," she pleaded. "I don't
know whether they are such very good friends just now. I am rather
afraid."

"Oh, yes; of course they must be good friends! Heron is not to have it
all his own way in everything anyhow. He must like the idea; he shall.
I'll write without telling him anything about it, and Heron couldn't
help being friendly to any fellow who came under his roof, as one might
say."

No one made any further objection.

"I wish Heron had not been so confoundedly particular about St. Paul,"
Mr. Money went on to say in a discontented tone. "That was absurd. St.
Paul's no worse than lots of other fellows, and in such a thing as this
we can't afford to throw away any o