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64
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

a candle from one of the servants, and ran over every room at once. But this was quite contrary to Lord Marchmont's ideas of the fitness of things; and he is, as you know, a disciplinarian in small matters. He has a genius for furniture, and piques himself on screens and arm-chairs.

We arrived three hours later than he intended, and, as the house could not be seen in the precise manner that he wished, he decided that it should not be seen at all till the next day. My own apartment, however, I was allowed to enter; and very pretty, I must say, it is. It is hung with Indian-silk, where the brightest of birds, and the gayest of flowers, disport themselves on a white ground. The screens and dressing-table are of black japan, while the mirror is set in exquisite silver filigree work, of which material are also the boxes of my toilette. There are also two large Venetian glasses. Lord Marchmont's picture used to hang in the place of one: he has removed it to the library,—"Taking for granted," said he, "that you would prefer