Sylvie and Bruno

Lord Chancellor, a little flushed and out of breath, and adjustin

ed, as the four took their seats at the small si

ago with the Lord Chancellor," t

ildren! I doubt if any one could gain the ear of my darling Uggug so quickly as you can!" For an entirely

. "I think the Warden was about to speak," he re

er boy," she continued with enthusiasm, "but he

rstood what she said this time, and was having a joke at his expense. He might have spared himself a

Wardenship is abolished, and my brother is appointed to act as Vice-Warden whenever I am

ly be a Vice after a

he Warden smil

ll have knocked two feather-beds together, for any noise it made. "When my hu

!" cried th

my Lady remarked with some severity, "

band anxiously explained. "Nothing i

the sentiment, and went on.

will observe the Agreement I have drawn up. The provision I am most anxious about is this." He unrolled a large parchment scroll, and read aloud the words "'item, that we

en had just handed to him. "These are merely the rough copies," he explained: "and, as soon as I have put in the final corrections-" making a great commotion among the different parchments, "-a semi-colon

read out, first?

nd the Chancellor exclaimed at the s

hall have the disposal of the annual revenue attached to the office, until my return, or, failing that, until Bruno comes of age: and that he shall then hand over, to

s from side to side, and pointing out to the Warden the place whew he was to sign. He

y. My children are waiting below to see me off" He gravely kissed my La

.'What a

ounced that the Warden was out of hearing: then, to my s

om. My Lady was too dignified to skip, but she laughed like the neighing of a horse, and waved her handkerchief above her head

en the Warden had gone," she remarked,

ed the two parchments lying side by side. "This is the one he read but didn't sign: and this is the o

upted eagerly, and began c

hy, that's been changed into 'shall be absolute governor for life, with the title o

d. "It won't do to let this paper be se

m, that we will be kind to the poo

sband. "We're not going to

preserved intact.' Why, that's altered into 'shall be at the absolute disposal of the Vice-Warden'!

course we'll have the coach-and-four out, at once. And I'll take the title of Emperor, as soon as we can safely hold an Election. But they

clapping her hands. "Of all things, I do

k or two. "Let her conspire to her heart's content!"

will the C

th their arms twined lovingly round each other-Bruno sobbing convulsively, with his face hidden on

arply, but without any effect on the weeping chi

from which she presently returned with two slices of plum-cake. "Eat, and don't cry!" were her shor

urst open, this time, as Uggug rushed violently int

g, but the Chancellor interrupted him. "It's all right,"

who had gone to the window, and wa

l of us (except Sylvie and Bruno, who took no notice of what was going on) followed her to the window

..'Drin

d worn. "A crust of bread is what I crave!" he

me water,

ptying a jug of wa

boy!" cried t

way to settl

rdeness chimed in. "H

n, as the old Beggar shook the water from his

ker to him!" my La

t, and threatening faces surrounded the poor old wanderer, who waved them back with qu

half choked with sobs. Bruno was at the window, trying to

uno cried, passionately str

way, don't you see? Let's go after him." And she led him out of the room, unnoti

ed their conversation in an undertone, so as not to b

succeeding to the Wrardenship," said my Lad

one exception, my Lady. Instead of 'Bruno,' I've taken the liberty to pu

ut, the cry once uttered, all effort ceased at once: a sudden gust swept away the whole scene, and I found myself sitting up, staring at the y