CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL
OF
POPULAR
LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART.

THE LAST OF THE HADDONS.

By Mrs NEWMAN, Author of 'Too Late,' &c.

CHAPTER I.—'INCONGRUOUS MATERIALS.'

'No. 81. Yes; this must certainly be the house,' I murmured, turningmy eyes somewhat disappointedly towards it again, after consulting anaddress in my hand. A large, gloomy, dilapidated-looking house, in arespectably dull street in Westminster, its lower windows facing adead-wall, and its upper ones overlooking venerable ecclesiasticalgrounds. The lower rooms appeared to be the only portion of the housewhich was occupied; and, to judge by the shabbiness of the blinds, theywere kept but in a mean condition. None the less dreary was the presentaspect of the house for the suggestions of by-gone prosperity in thenoble proportions of the entrance, with its link-extinguishers oneither side, and great massive doors opening from the centre. It wouldrequire a vivid imagination to picture those doors flung hospitablyopen, and light and warmth from within streaming down upon a gay partyof the present generation, alighting before the broad steps.

'Not very promising,' was my mental comment, as I gathered courage toascend the steps and lift the heavy iron wreath of flowers, which usedto be considered high-art in the way of knockers. Nor was I certainthat the house was inhabited at all, until I heard footsteps within,and presently one of the doors was opened a few inches and a bony handthrust out.

'A pretty time this to be bringing coffee that was wanted forbreakfast!'

'Does Mr Wentworth live here?'

A tall, thin, grim-visaged woman looked out, and shortly replied: 'Yes;he does.'

'Is he at home? Can I see him?'

'He's at home,' she slowly and reluctantly admitted: adding, as shedeterminedly blocked up the doorway: 'But he can't see anybody; he'sengaged.'

'Please give this card to Mr Wentworth, and say'——

'If it's the advertisement, you should have come before. Ten to twelvewas the time.'

'Please give this card to Mr Wentworth, and'——

'It won't be any use.'

'And say I shall be greatly obliged if h

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