“Very nice indeed of them,” said Young SARUM, rarely out so late at night, but drawn back, after light repast, to watch the division taken.  “I could wish that, instead of the superabundance of shirt-front displayed, our friends had selected more closely-buttoned vests, and that their coat-collar fitted a little higher.  But we cannot have perfection, and the white tie at least indicates nice feeling.”

Business done.—­Proposal to disestablish Church in Wales negatived by 267 Votes against 220.

Wednesday.—­PROVAND moved Second Reading Shop Hours’ Bill, and, what’s more, carried it against Ministers.  CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN tells me that, though Scotch Members voted for Bill, result has cast a gloom over them.  Expecting PROVAND would lose, they were all prepared to say, in casual way, “Ah, well, so the case is non-PROVAND.”  Some had, indeed, gone so far as commence to write letters home enshrining this joke.  These are now, of course, waste-paper.  Pity opportunity lost.  Scotch language not rich in provision of similar openings for wit.

Business done.—­Second Reading Shop Hours’ Bill carried.  Rare opportunity for Scotch joke hopelessly lost.

Thursday.—­MIDLETON brought London Fog on again in Lords to-night.  Asked the MARKISS if he would have any objection to appointment of Joint Committee to inquire into the matter?  The MARKISS a great artist in words; suits his conversation to the topic.  His reply decidedly misty; wouldn’t say yes or no; talked about Joint Committees being a mysterious part of the Constitution; didn’t know how they were to be appointed; hinted at rupture with Commons if proposal were made; wound up by saying that if Motion for Committee were submitted, he would do his best to induce their Lordships to adopt it.

Strangers in Gallery puzzled by this speech.  But the Lords know all about it.  STRATHEDEN winked at CAMPBELL, and both noble Lords wagged their head in admiration of MARKISS’S diplomacy; recognise deep design in involved speech and well affected hesitation.

MARKISS, I hear, vexed with me letting the cat—­I mean the fog, out of the bag last week.  But it’s everybody’s secret.  The Government have made up their mind to go to the country on the London Fog.  This Joint Committee will be appointed with least possible delay; a measure based on its Report will be carried through both Houses; everything will be ready for return of unsuspecting Fog Fiend next November.

“Sorry you mentioned it prematurely, TOBY,” the MARKISS said, not unkindly.  “But you only forestalled the announcement by a few days.  It’s been in my mind for months.  The cry of Separation is growing a little shrill; Free Education hasn’t done us any good; Small Holdings only so-so.  The Fog’s the thing!  Grappling with that, all London rallies to our standard, and with London at our back we can face the country.”

[Illustration:  Nurse Rendel taking care of her charge at Valescure, St. Raphael, the Riviera.]