“What do I hear?” exclaimed Mr. Seymour. “Rock-basins! for mercy’s sake, my dear vicar, let us not again dive into those horrid basins of Druidism; do but consider the martyrdom I have suffered on account of those pools of lustration.” “Well, well,” replied the vicar pettishly, “I will consent to reserve the question for Miss Villers’s opinion, who, I have no doubt, will readily assent to their authenticity. But I have another treasure lately obtained from Cornwall, which you have not yet seen--a Sepulchral stone!--‘_In vestibulo astat_,’ as the poet has it.” “Why I never observed it as I passed through the entrance,” said Mr. Seymour. “Excuse me,” observed the vicar, “the _Vestibule_, if you please. You doubtless know it was a custom amongst the Romans to have an altar sacred to Vesta in the entrance of their houses, and hence the term;--but I beg a thousand pardons--‘_venia sit dicto_’--I am perhaps too critical.” “Not only pardon, but thanks, my dear sir, for the information you have afforded us,” said Mr. Seymour. Miss Villers was now invited to be present at one of the scientific conversations. “I shall be grateful to you for so pleasing a privilege,” observed the young lady; “and,” continued she, “may I be allowed to ask whether you have not been lately teaching my young friends the operation of those various toys, which act by the force of the air; the object I have in view in asking this question you shall presently hear.” “Papa has lately taught us the reason of the kite’s ascent, and the action of the squirt, sucker, and pump,” said Tom. “So I understood; and before you proceed with your sportive philosophy, I hope your papa will allow you to try whether you can solve an enigma I have composed for you.” “A riddle!” exclaimed Louisa; “how delightful! Pray read it, papa, and let us try to discover its meaning.” Her father then opened the paper with which Miss Villers had presented him, and read as follows:--