Coningsby

gsby was somewhat composed, 'come

the private staircase, and

ntion of the boy, for the first time in the palace of his fathers. He traversed saloon after saloon hung with rare tapestry and the gorgeous products of foreign looms; filled with choice pictures and creations of curious art; cabinets that soverei

m he had so recently and so strangely parted. There he stood, Philip Augustus, Marquess of Monmouth, in his robes of state, with his new coronet on a table nea

observing that the boy had now quite recovered himself. 'Some luncheon will

he chase; at a round table in the centre sat two ladi

h fluency, in a foreign accent, 'come and tell me some news. Have you seen Milor?'

s,' said Rigby, with an air of

us welcome, 'this is Lucretia, my daughter. We love you already. Lord Monmouth will

tature so developed that she appeared almost a woman, bowed to the guest with so

said the elder lady, placing Coningsby a

herry, felt altogether a different being from what he was, when he had undergone the terrible interview in which he began to reflect he had considerably exposed himself. His courage revived, his senses rallied, he replied to the interrogations of the lady with calmness, but with promp

at the door; and if you like, my dear

should like so muc

with the sweetest s

returned to the Marquess, and the groom

but his pleasures and billiards, in which latter he was esteemed unrivalled. According to some, in a freak of passion, according to others, to cancel a gambling debt, he had united himself to his present wife, whose origin was obscure; but with whom he contrived to live on terms of apparent cordiality, for she was much admired, and made the society of her hu