The other wearer of the satin tunic bowed and spoke thus,—­

“My lord, I am Norroy, Third King-at-Arms of England.  Command me.”

The second row, erect and without bowing, advanced a pace.  The right-hand man said,—­

“My lord, we are the six Dukes-at-Arms of England.  I am York.”

Then each of the heralds, or Dukes-at-Arms, speaking in turn, proclaimed his title.

“I am Lancaster.”

“I am Richmond.”

“I am Chester.”

“I am Somerset.”

“I am Windsor.”

The coats of arms embroidered on their breasts were those of the counties and towns from which they took their names.

The third rank, dressed in black, remained silent.  Garter King-at-Arms, pointing them out to Gwynplaine, said,—­

“My lord, these are the four Pursuivants-at-Arms.  Blue Mantle.”

The man with the blue cape bowed.

“Rouge Dragon.”

He with the St. George inclined his head.

“Rouge Croix.”

He with the scarlet crosses saluted.

“Portcullis.”

He with the sable fur collar made his obeisance.

On a sign from the King-at-Arms, the first of the pursuivants, Blue Mantle, stepped forward and received from the officer of the Usher the cushion of silver cloth and crown-emblazoned portfolio.  And the King-at-Arms said to the Usher of the Black Rod,—­

“Proceed; I leave in your hands the introduction of his lordship!”

The observance of these customs, and also of others which will now be described, were the old ceremonies in use prior to the time of Henry VIII., and which Anne for some time attempted to revive.  There is nothing like it in existence now.  Nevertheless, the House of Lords thinks that it is unchangeable; and, if Conservatism exists anywhere, it is there.

It changes, nevertheless. E pur si muove.  For instance, what has become of the may-pole, which the citizens of London erected on the 1st of May, when the peers went down to the House?  The last one was erected in 1713.  Since then the may-pole has disappeared.  Disuse.

Outwardly, unchangeable; inwardly, mutable.  Take, for example, the title of Albemarle.  It sounds eternal.  Yet it has been through six different families—­Odo, Mandeville, Bethune, Plantagenet, Beauchamp, Monck.  Under the title of Leicester five different names have been merged—­Beaumont, Breose, Dudley, Sydney, Coke.  Under Lincoln, six; under Pembroke, seven.  The families change, under unchanging titles.  A superficial historian believes in immutability.  In reality it does not exist.  Man can never be more than a wave; humanity is the ocean.

Aristocracy is proud of what women consider a reproach—­age!  Yet both cherish the same illusion, that they do not change.  It is probable the House of Lords will not recognize itself in the foregoing description, nor yet in that which follows, thus resembling the once pretty woman, who objects to having any wrinkles.  The mirror is ever a scapegoat, yet its truths cannot be contested.  To portray exactly, constitutes the duty of a historian.  The King-at-Arms, turning to Gwynplaine, said,—­