“And yet, Lewis,” replied his mother, “I assure you some of these shells were found here; and I believe you will see among them many of the common ones you despise so much; but the greater part were brought from foreign countries. And the beautiful little basket, that is something new too. Yes, perhaps you may hear the history of that another time. I have been to old Price’s dwelling, and have promised that you shall pay him a visit this evening, should the weather continue fine. But, if I mistake not, you are ready for a walk now:—the shells will furnish us with in-door employment some other time.” The little party then turned their steps towards the east cliff. “How I do wish, mamma,” said Lewis, when they had passed the Pavilion, “I could see all that is to be seen in that strange looking building! I should like to go over it, if it were only for the pleasure of being able to say, I had seen the place where the king and queen of England live.” “Will it not do as well if I tell you all I can about it; for I think there is little chance of your gaining admission to the palace.” “Not quite so well, mamma; but still it would be very entertaining: and, perhaps, if I were to go to the palace I might be disappointed in it; as much disappointed as Edward and I were in the king and queen. Do you know, we expected to see them dressed in velvet robes, and wearing crowns on their heads; and after all, we could not have told which were their majesties, if papa had not pointed them out to us: they were just like any other people.” Mrs. Ashton smiled: she thought the king and queen would be much to be pitied, were they always obliged to wear heavy crowns on their heads and cumbersome dresses, such as Edward and Lewis had imagined. But she told Lewis, she did not think they would be disappointed in the Pavilion, could they obtain a sight of it, and she would do her best to describe it. Now, thought Lewis, this will be much more entertaining to write in my book than the early history of Brighton, and Edward will know nothing about it; for Edward had run on before, and was at that moment leaning on the railing at the edge of the cliff, and looking down on the gay parties that passed to and fro on the chain-pier beneath.