“FITZGERALD,” said AKERS-DOUGLAS, wringing his hand, “you’re a brick.  You always think of the right thing, and are ready to do it.”

DOUGLAS paused to wipe away tear drawn from his sensitive glands by this evidence of self-sacrifice.  When he’d done it, looking again at FITZGERALD’S briskly-retreating figure, couldn’t help noting how smartly he was got up; summer pants; white waistcoat; the short “reefer,” familiar in the Lobby, cast aside for the courtly frock coat; observed him as he strode forth, producing pair of lavender kid gloves.

“Odd,” said DOUGLAS, reflectively.  “FITZGERALD never expected to go to Garden Party; down here to help me; sudden emergency, and spirit of self-devotion, suggested to him to run over, and see what could be done; happy chance to find him, by exception, in the right rig.  It would never have done for him to rush over to Marlborough House to meet the QUEEN in his ‘reefer.’  Curious, when I come to think of it.  Hope there’s not more in it than meets the eye.”

But there was.

Debate on ROBERTSON’S Amendment abruptly closed; Division rushed; position of Government critical; AKERS-DOUGLAS anxiously on look-out for FITZGERALD and the Marlborough House relief party; but they came not, and on Division Government saved by skin of teeth and eight votes.  An hour later, PENROSE FITZGERALD returned to Lobby with guilty look; carefully avoided AKERS-DOUGLAS; that able captain too broken-hearted at the perfidy to be angry; “NOAH’S dove didn’t treat him so,” he said to himself; but all he said to FITZGERALD was, “Pleasant Party at Marlborough House, I suppose?” “Yee-es,” said FITZGERALD; “rather; couldn’t get back quite as soon as I expected.”

Business done.—­Irish Votes in Supply.

[Illustration:  Haste to the Wedding.]

Tuesday.—­Regular set-to of Irish Members on Prince ARTHUR.  MADDEN gallantly threw himself across body of his chief, but got such fearful pummelling retired into silence for rest of sitting.  What made it worse for ARTHUR was Chairman’s ruling; pulled him up more than once amid loud cheers from Opposition.  TIM HEALY on war-path; quotes TENNYSON with odd variation; represents Prince ARTHUR as saying of Irish Members, “You have not got the pose that marks the cast of VERE DE VERE.”  Proceedings occasionally lively; grow a little monotonous after first five hours.  Met STUART hurrying off, humming to himself the air, “Haste to the Wedding.”

“Aren’t you going to stay for division?” I asked.

“No,” said he.  “I mustered; strikes only on the box; when you ask for it, see that you get it; none other genuine.  Have an important engagement to-morrow morning.  If you’re waking COLMAN early, COLMAN early, TOBY dear.”

Stared at this incoherent speech; thought at first he was mad or had dined.  Then I remembered that to-morrow, at Norfolk, he marries Miss COLMAN.

Business done.—­More Irish Votes.