"Loss of office could not, I think, affect a man like Audley," observed Lord L'Estrange. "He would be as great in opposition, perhaps greater; and as to emoluments"---- "The emoluments are good," interposed Randal, with a half sigh. "Good enough, I suppose, to pay him back about a tenth of what his place costs our magnificent friend. No, I will say one thing for English statesmen, no man amongst them ever yet was the richer for place." "And Mr. Egerton's private fortune must be large, I take for granted," said Randal carelessly. "It ought to be, if he has time to look to it." Here they passed by the hotel in which lodged the Count di Peschiera. Randal stopped. "Will you excuse me for an instant? As we are passing this hotel, I will just leave my card here." So saying, he gave his card to a waiter lounging by the door. "For the Count di Peschiera," said he aloud. L'Estrange started; and as Randal again took his arm, said-- "So that Italian lodges here? and you know him?" "I know him but slightly, as one knows any foreigner who makes a sensation." "He makes a sensation?" "Naturally; for he is handsome, witty, and said to be very rich--that is, as long as he receives the revenues of his exiled kinsman." "I see you are well informed, Mr. Leslie. And what is supposed to bring hither the Count di Peschiera?" "I did hear something, which I did not quite understand, about a bet of his that he would marry his kinsman's daughter; and so, I conclude, secure to himself all the inheritance; and that he is therefore here to discover the kinsman and win the heiress. But probably you know the rights of the story, and can tell me what credit to give to such gossip." "I know this at least, that if he did lay such a wager, I would advise you to take any odds against him that his backers may give," said L'Estrange, dryly; and while his lip quivered with anger, his eye gleamed with arch ironical humor. "You think, then, that this poor kinsman will not need such an alliance in order to regain his estates?" "Yes; for I never yet knew a rogue whom I would not bet against, when he backed his own luck as a rogue against Justice and Providence." Randal winced, and felt as if an arrow had grazed his heart; but he soon recovered. "And indeed there is another vague rumor that the young lady in question is married already--to some Englishman." This time it was Harley who winced. "Good Heavens! that cannot be true--that would undo all! An Englishman just at this moment! But some Englishman of correspondent rank, I trust, or at least one known for opinions opposed to what an Austrian would call revolutionary doctrines?" "I know nothing. But it was supposed, merely a private gentleman of good family. Would not that suffice? Can the Austrian Count dictate a marriage to the daughter as a condition of grace to the father?"