the throne, was the only seat to be seen in the room.
The duchess received them with a gracious inclination of the head; and, after signing to Mrs. Churchill to take the arm-chair, she extended her hand for Ethel to kiss. Silence was then broken by inquiring how Mrs. Churchill bore the fatigue of the journey?
"I never felt it," replied the old lady, who was elated with all the dignity of a martyr; "there are times when the mind forgets the body."
Ethel could not help smiling when she recollected how her grandmother had slept or grumbled the whole journey in her very comfortable carriage.
"We are not ignorant of your devotion," returned the duchess, with a very solemn air, suddenly checking herself, as if afraid of say ing too much. But it is difficult to sustain conversation in such a high and forced tone, and neither party got further than a few stately sentences.
Ethel employed the time in observing the
