; think of that, Queen
Esther; and some exquisite gold pieces of Tarentum and Syracuse. How
your eyes would look at them! Well, study up everything, so that when
we meet again we may talk up all the world. I shall be very hard at
work myself soon, as soon as I go to Oxford. In the meantime I am
rather hard at work here, although to be sure the work is play.

'This is a very miserable bit of a letter, and nothing in it, just
because I have so much to say. If I had time I would write it over, but
I have not time. The next shall be better. I am a great deal with Mr.
Strahan, in-doors as well as out. I wish I could show you his house,
Queen. It is old and odd and pretty. Thick old walls, little windows in
deep recesses; low ceilings and high ceilings, for different parts of
the house are unlike each other; most beautiful dark oaken
wainscotings, carved deliciously, and grown black with time; and big,
hospitable chimney-pieces, with fires of English soft coal. Some of the
rooms are rather dark, to me who am accustomed to the sun of America
pouring in at a wealth of big windows; but others are to me quite
charming. And this quaint old house is filled with treasures and
curiosities. Mr. Strahan lives in it quite alone with two servants, a
factotum of a housekeeper and another factotum of a man-servant. I must
say I find it intelligible that he should take pleasure in having me
with him. Good-bye for to-night. I'll write soon again.

'WM. PITT DALLAS.'

As on occasion of the former letter, Esther lingered long over the
reading of this; her uneasiness not appeased by it at all; then at last
went down to her father, to whom the uneasiness was quite unknown and
unsuspected.

'I think William writes the longest letters to you,' he remarked. 'What
does he say this time?'

Esther read her letter aloud.

'Will has fallen on his feet,' was the comment.

'What does he say to you, papa?'

'Not much; and yet a good deal. You may read for yourself.'

Which Esther did, eagerly. Pitt had told her father about his visit to
the House of Commons.

'I had yesterday,' he wrote, 'a rare pleasure, which you, my dear
colonel, would have appreciated. Mr. Strahan took me to the House of
Commons; and I heard Mr. Canning, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr.
Ponsonby, and others, on what question, do you think? Nothing less than
the duty which lies upon England just at this moment, to use the
advantage of her influence with her allies in E