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112 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. "Why, I told you," said Dolly, "the same old set; are you still dreaming? There was a very pleasant man who knows Venice well; he says we ought to stay there at least two months that for his part he could live there for ever, and Jenny told him you are going to have a studio there and paint, at which he was deeply interested."

"Oh, here you are," said Mrs. Milbanke, as the porter's wife entered with tea. "I ventured to ask for some tea, Mr. Forsyth," said Mrs. Milbanke. "I always think it is so delightful, tea in a studio; and especially when there is no fuss and the men can go on smoking. 'Liberty Hall,' as Mr. Samuel Swynford says."

"Just so," said Chetwynd." Has Mr. Swynford made a fortune yet?"

"I am sure I don't know. He was very mysterious the other night with Walter about some Transvaal mines that are a certainty. I don't quite know whether he is a bull or a bear, but he says they will go up to ten premium, and that when they do he is going to have a holiday. He has let Walter have a few shares."

"Which I fear will settle poor Sam's prospects," chimed in Dolly, "as Walter told him; for if there is an unlucky fellow in the world, it is Walter."

"He does not think so," said Chetwynd; "at all events he does not look it when he is out with his wife and sister."

"Ah, he is a dear fellow Walter." remarked Dolly, sipping her tea, and suddenly remarking to Philip, "Won't you make me a cigarette? I might take one whiff, eh? There was a Russian woman at Lady Marchmount's who smoked a cigarette, much to everybody's surprise; it is true she only smoked it in the hall when she was leaving. They say cigarette smoking grows on one like dram-drinking; your mother, Lady Forsyth, allows it at her Sunday evenings, Mr. Philip?"