smoke and fiery vapour, than the wider—­until he reached a part of it with which he had once been well acquainted.  But, alas! how changed was that familiar spot.  The house he sought was a mere heap of ruins.  While gazing at them, he heard a voice behind him, and turning, beheld Mr. Bloundel and his son Stephen, forcing their way through what had once been Maiden-lane.  A warm greeting passed between them, and Mr. Bloundel gazed for some time in silence upon the wreck of his dwelling.  Tears forced themselves into his eyes, and his companions were no less moved.  As he turned to depart, he observed to the young man with some severity: 

“How is it, Leonard, that I see you in this gay apparel?  Surely, the present is not a fitting season for such idle display.”

Lord Argentine, for such it was, now explained to the wonder-stricken grocer all that had occurred to him, adding that he had intended coming to him that very day, if he had not been thus anticipated, to give him the present explanation.

“And where are Farmer Wingfield and Blaize?” asked Mr. Bloundel.  “We have been extremely uneasy at your prolonged absence.”

“They are both at the palace,” replied Lord Argentine, “and have both been laid up with slight injuries received during the conflagration; but I believe—­nay, I am sure—­they will get out to-day.”

“That is well,” replied Mr. Bloundel; “and now let me congratulate you, Leonard—­that is, my lord—­how strange such a title sounds!—­on your new dignity.

“And accept my congratulations, too, my lord,” said Stephen.

“Oh! do not style me thus,” said Argentine.  “With you, at least, let me be ever Leonard Holt.”

“You are still my old apprentice, I see,” cried the grocer, warmly grasping his hand.

“And such I shall ever continue in feeling,” returned the other, cordially returning the pressure.

Three days after this, Lord Argentine was united to the Lady Isabella.—­the king, as he had promised, giving away the bride.  The Earl of Rochester was present, together with the grocer and his wife, and the whole of their family.  Another marriage also took place on the same day between Blaize and Patience.  Both unions, it is satisfactory to be able to state, were extremely happy, though it would be uncandid not to mention, that in the latter case, to use a homely but expressive phrase, “the grey mare proved the better horse.”  Blaize, however, was exceedingly content under his government.  He settled at Willesden with his wife, where they lived to a good old age, and where some of his descendants may still be found.