Sketches

Prese

his way to the Consul's house. He was a man of an age apparently verging towards thirty; and, although the native porter, who bore his luggage and directed his path, proved that, as he was accompanied not even by a single servant, he did not share the general reputation of his countrymen for wealth, his appearance to those practised in society

red with papers, and a vacant easy-chair was evidently the consular throne. A portrait of his Britannic majesty figured on the walls of one part of the chamber; and over the mantel was another portrait, which immediately engaged the attention of the traveller, and, indeed, monopolised his observation. He had a very ample opportunity of studying it, for nearly a quarter of an hour elapsed before he was disturbed. It was the full-length portrait of a young lady. She stoo

turned round. Before him stood a little, parched-up, grinning, bowing Itali

e traveller, slightly bowing, an

the Italian: 'I have the honour to be t

agent should be styled a Consul,

e Italian; 'and I will take the earliest opportunity of informing the Cons

plied the traveller

I am sorry that I detained you for a moment, but I was at my siesta. I will take the earliest opportunity of informing the Consul of your arrival; but at present all the consu

plied the

he had been roused from his siesta for a traveller who had not ev

ed a moment, and then said, 'Pray, may

the chancellor; ''tis