LORD CHALDON'S instructive little monologue on
the subject of the Hebrew in finance afforded
Thorpe a certain pleasure, which was in its character,
perhaps, more social than intellectual.

It was both a flattering and striking experience to have
so eminent a man at the side of one's desk, revealing for
one's guidance the secrets of sovereigns and cabinets.
Great names were mentioned in the course of this disser-
tation -- mentioned with the authoritative ease of one who
dined with princes and prime ministers -- and Thorpe felt
that he shared in the distinction of this familiarity with
the august. He was in the position of paying a salary to
this courtly old nobleman and statesman, who could tell
him of his own intimate knowledge how Emperors con-
versed with one another; how the Pope fidgeted in his
ornate-carved chair when the visitor talked on unwelcome
topics; how a Queen and an opera-bouffe dancer waged
an obscure and envenomed battle for the possession of a
counting-house strong box, and in the outcome a nation
was armed with inferior old muskets instead of modern
weapons, and the girl got the difference expressed in
black pearls.

These reminiscences seemed to alter the atmosphere, and
even the appearance, of the Board Room. It was almost
as if the apartment itself was becoming historic, like those
chambers they pointed out to the tourist wherein crowned
heads had slept. The manner of the Marquis lent itself

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