perfect ceremony ended.

Lothaw sighed. He sought out the gorgeously gilded "Taj," or
sacred mausoleum erected to his grandfather in the second story
front room, and wept over the man he did not know. He wandered
alone in his magnificent park, and then, throwing himself on a
grassy bank, pondered on the Great First Cause, and the necessity
of religion. "I will send Mary Ann a handsome present," said
Lothaw, thoughtfully.


CHAPTER VII.


"Each of these pearls, my Lord, is worth fifty thousand guineas,"
said Mr. Amethyst, the fashionable jeweler, as he lightly lifted a
large shovelful from a convenient bin behind his counter.

"Indeed," said Lothaw, carelessly, "I should prefer to see some
expensive ones.

"Some number sixes, I suppose," said Mr. Amethyst, taking a couple
from the apex of a small pyramid that lay piled on the shelf.
"These are about the size of the Duchess of Billingsgate's, but
they are in finer condition. The fact is, her Grace permits her
two children, the Marquis of Smithfield and the Duke of St. Giles,--
two sweet pretty boys, my Lord,--to use them as marbles in their
games. Pearls require some attention, and I go down there
regularly twice a week to clean them. Perhaps your Lordship would
like some ropes of pearls?"