truth of various
newspaper reports about royal marriages and illustrious visitors, of
which it was strange how he preserved the recollection.

"You have not asked me about myself, father," said Dunn at last, "and I
think _my_ fortunes might have had the first place in your interest."

"Sure you told me this minute that you didn't see the Queen," said the
old man, peevishly.

"Very true, sir, I did not, but I saw her Minister. I placed before him
the services I had done his party, my long sacrifices of time, labor,
and money in their cause; I showed him that I was a man who had
established the strongest claim upon the Government."

"And wouldn't be refused,--wouldn't be denied, eh, Davy?"

"Just so, sir. I intimated that also, so far as it was prudent to do
so."

"The stronger the better, Davy; weak words show a faint heart. 'Tis
knowing the cost of your enmity will make men your friends."

"I believe, sir, that in such dealings my own tact is my safest guide.
It is not to-day or yesterday that I have made acquaintance with men of
this order. For upwards of two-and-twenty years I have treated Ministers
as my equals."

The old man heard this proud speech with an expression of almost ecstasy
on his features, and grasped his son's hand in a delight too great for
words.

"Ay, father, I have made our name a cognate number in this kingdom's
arithmetic. Men talk of Davenport Dunn as one recognized in the land."

"'Tis true; 'tis true as the Bible!" muttered the old man.

"And what is more," continued the other, warming with his theme, "what
I have done I have done for all time. I have laid the foundations deep,
that the edifice might endure. A man of inferior ambition would have
been satisfied with wealth, and the enjoyments it secures; he might
have held a seat in Parliament, sat on the benches beside the Minister,
mayhap have held some Lordship of This or Under-Secretaryship of that,
selling his influence ere it matured, as poor farmers sell their crops
standing,--but I preferred the' patient path. I made a waiting race of
it, father, and see what the prize is to be. Your son is to be a peer of
Great Britain!"

The old man's mouth opened wide, and his eyes glared with an almost
unnatural brightness, as, catching his son with both arms, he tried to
embrace him.

"There, dear father,--there!" said Dunn, calmly; "you must not
over-excite yourself."

"It's too much, Davy,--it's too much; I'll never live to see