“No; they're chatting, I fancy,” lisped out the other. “The Council was up half an hour ago.” “Have you mentioned my name, sir?” asked Dunn, with a formidable emphasis on the pronoun. “Yes,” said he, arranging his hair before the glass; “I sent in your card.” “Well, and the answer?” “There was no answer, which, I take it, means 'wait,'” replied he, in the same light and graceful tone of voice. Dunn took his hat hastily from the table; and with a stern stare, intended to mean “I shall remember your face again,” said,-- “You may inform Lord Jedburg that I came by appointment; that I was here punctually at one o'clock; that I waited full fifteen minutes; that--” What more Mr. Dunn was about to say was cut short by the opening of a-door, and the issuing forth of some five or six gentlemen, all laughing and talking together. “How d'ye do, Mr. Dunn?” “How d'ye do, Dunn?” “How are you, Dunn?” said some three or four, familiarly, as they passed through the room. And ere he could acknowledge the salutations, Lord Jedburg himself appeared at the door, and made a sign for him to enter. Never before had Davenport Dunn crossed those precincts with so nervous a heart. If his reason assured him that there was no cause of fear, his instincts and his conscience spoke a different language. He bent one quick penetrating glance on the Minister ere he sat down, as though to read there what he might of the future; but there was nothing to awaken anxiety or distrust in that face. His Lordship was far advanced in life, his hair more white than gray, his brow wrinkled and deep-furrowed; and yet, if, instead of the cares of a mighty empire, his concern had been the passing events of a life of society and country habits, nothing could have more suited the easy expression, the graceful smile, and the pleasant _bonhomie_ of that countenance. Resuming the cigar he had been smoking as Dunn came in, he lounged back indolently in his deep chair, and said,-- “What can I do for you at the Isle of Wight, Dunn? I fancy we shall have a trip to Osborne to-morrow morning.” “Indeed, my Lord?” asked he, anxiously; “are you going out?” “So they say,” replied the other, carelessly. “Do you smoke? You 'll find those Cubans very mild. So they say, Dunn. Monksley assures us that we shall be in a minority to-night of fifteen or sixteen. Drake thinks five-and-twenty.” “From your Lordship's easy mode of taking it, I conclude that there is either a remedy for the disaster, or that--” “It is no disaster at all,” chimed in his Lordship, gayly. “Well, the Carlton Club are evidently of that mind, and some of the evening papers too.” “I perceive, my Lord,” said Dunn, with a peculiar smile, “the misfortune _is_ not irremediable.”