an's niece. You know this already; but you
don't know why it was done. Having believed from the first that you were
really in love with the young lady, the Doctor reckoned confidently on
your devoting yourself to the protection of a friendless girl, cruelly
exiled at an hour's notice.

"The one chance against us was that tender considerations, associated
with her Highness, might induce you to hesitate. The lady in waiting
easily moved this obstacle out of the way. She abstained from delivering
a letter addressed to you, intrusted to her by the Princess. When the
great lady asked why she had not received your reply, she was informed
(quite truly) that you and the charming opera singer had taken your
departure together. You may imagine what her Highness thought of you,
and said of you, when I mention in conclusion that she consented, the
same day, to marry the Duke.

"So, Mr. Ernest, these clever people tricked you into serving their
interests, blindfold. In relating how it was done, I hope I may have
assisted you in forming a correct estimate of the state of your own
intelligence. You have made a serious mistake in adopting your present
profession. Give up diplomacy--and get a farmer to employ you in keeping
his sheep."

* * * * *

Do I sometimes think regretfully of the Princess?

Permit me to mention a circumstance, and to leave my answer to be
inferred. Jeanne is Lady Medhurst.

MR. LISMORE AND THE WIDOW.

I.

LATE in the autumn, not many years since, a public meeting was held at
the Mansion House, London, under the direction of the Lord Mayor.

The list of gentlemen invited to address the audience had been chosen
with two objects in view. Speakers of celebrity, who would rouse public
enthusiasm, were supported by speakers connected with commerce, who
would be practically useful in explaining the purpose for which the
meeting was convened. Money wisely spent in advertising had produced the
customary result--every seat was occupied before the proceedings began.

Among the late arrivals, who had no choice but to stand or to leave the
hall, were two ladies. One of them at once decided on leaving the hall.
"I shall go back to the carriage," she said, "and wait for you at the
door." Her friend answered, "I shan't keep you long. He is advertised to
support the second Resolution; I want to see him--and that is all."

An elderly gentleman, seated at the end of a bench, rose