The offers were of course made in the usual form, as though coming direct from the Queen, through the Prime Minister;--but the selections were in truth effected by the old Duke in council with--an illustrious personage.

The matter affected our Duke,--only in so far that he could not get out of his mind that strange application from his own wife.

"That she should have even dreamed of it!" he would say to himself, not yet having acquired sufficient experience of his fellow creatures to be aware how wonderfully temptations will affect even those who appear to be least subject to them.

The town horse, used to gaudy trappings, no doubt despises the work of his country brother; but yet, now and again, there comes upon him a sudden desire to plough.

The desire for ploughing had come upon the Duchess, but the Duke could not understand it.
He perceived, however, in spite of the multiplicity of his official work, that his refusal sat heavily on his wife's breast, and that, though she spoke no further word, she brooded over her injury.