Important events were in the way to happen. Denshire, like many other counties, had recently made up its mind that it behooved it to educate itself, and a building had arisen in Denborough which was to serve as an institute of technical education, a school of agriculture, a center of learning, a home of instructive recreation, a haven for the peripatetic lecturer, and several things besides. Lord Cransford had consented to open this temple of the arts, which was now near completion, and an inauguration by him would have been suitable and proper. But the Squire had something far better to announce. The Lord Lieutenant was, next month, to be honored by a visit from a Royal Duke, and the Royal Duke had graciously consented to come over and open the Institute. It would be an occasion the like of which Denborough had seldom seen, and Lord Cransford and Mr. Delane might well be pardoned the deputy-providential air with which they went about for the few days next following on the successful completion of this delicate negotiation. "Now," said the Squire, when he had detailed the Prince's waverings and vacillations, his he-woulds and he-would-nots, and the culmination of his gracious assent, "I have a great idea, and I want you to help me, Jan." "How can I help?" asked Janet, who was already in a flutter of loyalty. "When the Duke comes, I want him to have a splendid reception." "I'm sure he will, my dear," said Mrs. Delane; "at least I hope that we are loyal." "We want," continued the Squire, "to show him all our resources." "Well, papa, that won't take him very long. There's the old Mote Hall, and the Roman pavement and----Oh, but will he come here, papa--to the Grange?" "I hope he will take luncheon here." "How delightful!" exclaimed Janet joyfully. "Goodness!" said Mrs. Delane anxiously. "But, Jan, I want to show him our poet!" "Papa! Mr. Bannister?" "Yes. I want Bannister to write a poem of welcome." "My dear," remarked Mrs. Delane, "Mr. Bannister doesn't like princes;" and she smiled satirically. "What do you say, Jan?" asked the Squire, smiling in his turn. "Oh, yes, do ask him, papa. I wish he would." "Well, will you ask him to?" "Really, George, you are the person to suggest it." "Yes, Mary. But if I fail? Now, Jan?" "Oh, don't be foolish papa. It's not likely----" "Never mind. Will you?" But Janet had, it seemed, finished her meal; at least she had left the room. Mrs. Delane looked vexed. The Squire laughed, for he was a man who enjoyed his little joke. "Poor Jan!" he said. "It's a shame to chaff her on her conquests." Mrs. Delane's fears had been confirmed by her daughter's reception of the raillery. She would have answered in the same tone, and accepted the challenge, if the banter had not hit the mark. "It's a pity," said Mrs. Delane, "to encourage her to think so much about this young Bannister." "Eh?" said the Squire, looking up from his plate.