"Ce gros Suisse ayant apporté dans sa cabane un panier rempli de grenouilles, "Ma foi,' répondit-il, tant pis pour eux."" IN THREE MEMOIRES DE MONTLUC. VOLUME S. VOL. I. LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1846. PEERS AND PARVENUS. CHAPTER I. Welcome, Immortal!-welcome to thy grave.-BUTLER. AN unusual degree of stir and bustle was perceptible one Midsummer day in the household at Hillingdon Hall, a fine old seat in Lancashire, belonging to a fine young lord, who derived both his title and income from the property. Housemaids and lady'smaids were seen scudding, with an air of importance, along the corridors; and a chaise, with jaded and smoking post-horses, was drawn up near the offices. Some event of considerable importance was evidently in progress. VOL. I. B |