CHAPTER III.
SIR PETER stood on his hearthstone, surveyed the guests seated in semicircle, and said: "Friends,--in Parliament, before anything affecting the fate of a Bill is discussed, it is, I believe, necessary to introduce the Bill." He paused a moment, rang the bell, and said to the servant who entered, "Tell Nurse to bring in the Baby." Mr.CHILLINGLY GORDON.--"I don't see the necessity for that, Sir Peter.
We may take the existence of the Baby for granted." Mr.MIVERS.--"It is an advantage to the reputation of Sir Peter's work to preserve the incognito.

_Omne ignotum pro magnifico_." THE REV.

JOHN STALWORTH CHILLINGLY.--"I don't approve the cynical levity of such remarks.

Of course we must all be anxious to see, in the earliest stage of being, the future representative of our name and race.
Who would not wish to contemplate the source, however small, of the Tigris or the Nile!--" MISS SALLY (tittering).--"He! he!" MISS MARGARET.--"For shame, you giddy thing!" The Baby enters in the nurse's arms.

All rise and gather round the Baby with one exception,--Mr.Gordon, who has ceased to be heir-at-law.
The Baby returned the gaze of its relations with the most contemptuous indifference.