"Plague take that gong! how it does belabor and thrash one's tympanum!" said the judge irritably, as he slowly arose to dress for dinner. After dinner Ishmael persuaded him not to stay in and mope, but to go with him to hear a celebrated traveler and eloquent lecturer, who was to hold forth in one of the churches on the manners and customs of the Laplanders. The professor also had leave to go. And the judge and Ishmael were well entertained and interested, and the professor was instructed and delighted. Evidently the old odd-job man, judging from his past and present experience, thought "That now the kingdom must be coming, And the years of jubilo." They returned to a late supper, and then retired to bed. Next morning they took the early train for Washington, where they arrived at seven o'clock. The judge went home with Ishmael and remained his guest for two or three days, while he wrote to Reuben Gray to send up Sam and the carriage for him; and waited for it to come. Ishmael at the same time took the responsibility of writing to Mr. Middleton, advising him to come up with the carriage in order to bear the judge company in his journey home. The last day of the week the carriage arrived with Mr. Middleton inside and Sam on the box. And on Monday morning the judge, in better spirits than anyone could have expected him to be, took an affectionate leave of Ishmael, and with Mr. Middleton for company, set out for Tanglewood, where in due time they arrived safely. We also must bid adieu to Ishmael for a short time and leave him to the successful prosecution of his business, and to the winning of new laurels. For it is necessary to the progress of this story that we follow the fortunes of Claudia, Viscountess Vincent. CHAPTER XIV. ROMANCE AND REALITY. If we had heard that she was dead We hastily had cried, "She was so richly favored God will forgive her pride!" But now to see her living death-- Power, glory, arts, all gone-- Her empire lost and her poor breath Still vainly struggling on! --_Milnes._ The "Ocean Empress" steamed her way eastward. The month was favorable; the weather bright; the wind fair and the sea calm. Every circumstance promised a pleasant voyage. None but a few unreasonable people grew seasick; and even they could not keep it up long. There was a very select and agreeable set of passengers in the first cabin. But Lord and Lady Vincent were the only titled persons present; and from both European and American voyagers received a ridiculous amount of homage.