ble candidates, "how do you propose the
choice is to be made?"

"That is to be for after consideration," replied Roland; "we may have
universal suffrage and the ballot."

"No, no, by Jove!" exclaimed Sir Harvey Upton; "we must not enter upon
our new reign by a rebellion. Let only the men vote."

"How gallant!" said Miss Kennyfeck, sneeringly; while a chorus of "How
unfair!" "How ungenerous!" went through the room.

"What say ye to the plan they hae wi' the Pope?" said Sir Andrew,
grinning maliciously: "tak' the auldest o' the company."

This suggestion caused a laugh, in which certain parties did not join
over-heartily. Just at this moment the door opened, and Lord Kilgoff,
leaning on the arm of two servants, entered. He was deathly pale, and
seemed several years older; but his face had acquired something of its
wonted expression, and it was with a sad but courteous smile he returned
the salutations of the company.

"Glad to see you amongst us, my Lord," said Cashel, as he placed an
arm-chair, and assisted the old man to his seat. "I have just been
telling my friends that our country air and quiet will speedily restore
you."

"Thank you very much, sir," said he, taking Cashel's hand. "We are both
greatly indebted to your kindness, nor can we indeed ever hope to repay
it."

"Make him a receiver on the estate, then," whispered Lady Janet in Miss
Kennyfeck's ear, "and he'll soon pay himself."

"Tell my Lord about our newly intended government, Mr. Cashel," said
Mrs. Kennyfeck; "I'm sure it will amuse him." And Cashel, more in
obedience to the request than from any conviction of its prudence,
proceeded to obey. One word only, however, seemed to fix itself on the
old man's memory.

"Queen! queen!" repeated he several times to himself. "Oh, indeed! You
expect her Majesty will honor you with a visit, sir?"

Cashel endeavored to correct the misconception, but to no purpose; the
feeble intelligence could not relinquish its grasp so easily, and he
went on in a low muttering tone,--

"Lady Kilgoff is the only peeress here, sir, remember that; you should
speak to her about it, Mr. Cashel."

"I hope we are soon to have the pleasure of seeing Lady Kilgoff, my
Lord," whispered Cashel, half to concur with, half to turn the course of
conversation.

"She will be here presently," said he, somewhat stiffly, as if some
unpleasant recollection was passing through his mind; and Cashel
turned away to speak with the others, w