"Well, well; perhaps the duke will meet my solicitor here to-morrow morning in regard to the settlements. I consider the fact that he has steadily declined every invitation I have sent him to come to us on any occasion. Still, I hope he may be induced to honor us with his presence to-morrow in the interest of these marriage settlements, and to remain and dine with us in honor of this betrothal," said the banker. "I hope you will kindly continue to excuse my father, sir. His age, his infirmities, his failing mind and body, will, I trust, be his sufficient apologies," said the young marquis gravely. "You think that he will not come, then!" "I fear that he cannot." "I'm sorry for that. However, tell him all that I have told you, and agree to any alterations in the settlements that he may see fit to suggest. There! Go to Salome! Go to Salome! I must be off to the House," said the conscientious M.P. rising, and putting an end to the interview. It was subsequently arranged that the marriage should be celebrated at Castle Lone on that day three weeks. Two weeks out of the three, Sir Lemuel Levison remained in town to give his daughter and her chaperon an opportunity of getting up as good a trousseau as could be prepared in so short a time. But jewellers, milliners, and dressmakers may be hurried as well as lawyers, when they are well paid to make haste. And so, in two weeks, the banker's heiress, the future Marchioness of Arondelle and Duchess of Hereward, had a trousseau as magnificent and splendid as if it had been in preparation for two years. When it was all carefully packed and sent down to Lone, Sir Lemuel Levison and his household prepared to follow. On the day before their departure a very curious thing happened. Sir Lemuel was waiting in his library, when a footman entered and laid a card before him. It was not a visiting card, but a business card. And it bore the name of a firm: Dazzle and Sparkle, jewellers, Number Blank, Bond street. "What is the meaning of this?" inquired the banker. "If you please, sir, the person who brought it directed me to say, that he craves to speak with you on the most important business," answered the man. "Important to himself most likely, and not in the least so to me. Well, show him up," said Sir Lemuel. The servant withdrew and, after a few moments, reappeared and announced: "Mr. Dazzle, of Dazzle and Sparkle, Bond street." A little, round-bodied, bald-headed man entered the library. Sir Lemuel Levison received him with some surprise, but with much politeness. "I have come, sir, on a little business," began the visitor, who forthwith proceeded and explained his business at length. It seemed that the imbecile Duke of Hereward, being well pleased with his son's marriage, and imagining himself still to be the master of Lone and of a princely revenue, went to Messrs. Dazzle and Sparkle, and ordered a splendid set of diamonds for his prospective daughter-in-law.