Eight Bells 



old Bergeres, look at "The Return ot 

 Lafayette," close my eyes and wait for 

 the silvery tinkle of that little bell, and 

 voila! la belle Marie! Or Richelieu! 

 The romance of the courts of France! 

 Gay silks and powdered wigs! Jewels 

 and perfumes rare ! Old lace and roses ! 

 Way down the back hall, encased in 

 heavy mahogany, another timepiece, 

 armed with thought-compelling chimes, 

 stands up against the wall, and ham- 

 mers away of Westminster! London 

 bridge! The Tower! High Holborn! 

 The Savoy or Piccadilly Circus! Hand 

 me that old copy of Ainsworth's 

 "Windsor Castle," bring my dressing 

 gown and slippers, and with the deep- 

 toned music of those imprisoned tubes 

 of heavy brass, I shall soon be standing 

 by Herne's haunted oak waiting for 

 the spectral huntsman and the legend- 

 ary hounds to start their thrilling mid- 

 night chase along the moonlit glades! 

 And Anne Boleyn flirts gaily on her 

 frivolous way! 



[163] 



