MISS WILLIAMS' LEGACY. 71 



other stories of Mrs. Disraeli's peculiarities, and her 

 parsimony was often carried to a ridiculous extent ; 

 however, it had the effect of ridding her husband of 

 pecuniary troubles, and added to the great respect and 

 affection he always entertained towards her, and which 

 she amply deserved. 



I am tempted to refer to the romance that proved so 

 important a feature in Lord Beaconsfield's remarkable 

 career. After the publication of each novel he was in 

 the habit of receiving many congratulations from friends 

 and literary people on the success of his works, and 

 amongst others there came one from a lady of whom he 

 knew nothing whatever, who lived in the neighbourhood 

 of Torquay. She was in the habit of writing most 

 enthusiastic praises, almost fulsome adulation, of his 

 great abilities, not only as a writer but as a politician. 

 He took but little notice of her except by formal letters 

 of thanks, and thought no more of the matter. Some 

 time afterwards, circumstances happened that took him 

 and Mrs. Disraeli to the West of England, and they went 

 to Torquay ; then the thought struck him that he should 

 find out who this Platonic lover could be, and in due 

 course he discovered that she was a Miss Williams,, a 

 lady of some property, living in that neighbourhood. He 

 determined to call and pay his respects to her. He did 

 so, and the old lady was so thoroughly delighted that 

 she could scarcely contain herself. At last she had 

 obtained the object of her ambition, and had seen the 

 great man for whom she had for years felt the deepest 

 admiration. ]\Ir. Disraeli prolonged his visit, and again 

 called on her, and on his return to London forwarded 



