Everything was finished except the papering: there were the latest improvements of the period in bell-hanging, ventilating, smoke- jacks, fire-grates, and French windows.

The business was soon ended, and Jones, having directed Barnet's attention to a roll of wall-paper patterns which lay on a bench for his choice, was leaving to keep another engagement, when Barnet said, 'Is the tomb finished yet for Mrs.Downe ?' 'Well--yes: it is at last,' said the architect, coming back and speaking as if he were in a mood to make a confidence.

'I have had no end of trouble in the matter, and, to tell the truth, I am heartily glad it is over.' Barnet expressed his surprise.

'I thought poor Downe had given up those extravagant notions of his?
then he has gone back to the altar and canopy after all?
Well, he is to be excused, poor fellow!' 'O no--he has not at all gone back to them--quite the reverse,' Jones hastened to say.

'He has so reduced design after design, that the whole thing has been nothing but waste labour for me; till in the end it has become a common headstone, which a mason put up in half a day.' 'A common headstone ?' said Barnet.
'Yes.