was about to return the salute, the King-at-Arms reminded him in a low

voice of the etiquette, "Only the brim of your hat, my lord." Gwynplaine

did as directed. He now entered the so-called Painted Chamber, in which

there was no painting, except a few of saints, and amongst them St.

Edward, in the high arches of the long and deep-pointed windows, which

were divided by what formed the ceiling of Westminster Hall and the

floor of the Painted Chamber. On the far side of the wooden barrier

which divided the room from end to end, stood the three Secretaries of

State, men of mark. The functions of the first of these officials

comprised the supervision of all affairs relating to the south of

England, Ireland, the Colonies, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain,

Portugal, and Turkey. The second had charge of the north of England, and

watched affairs in the Low Countries, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Poland,

and Russia. The third, a Scot, had charge of Scotland. The two

first-mentioned were English, one of them being the Honourable Robert

Harley, Member for the borough of New Radnor. A Scotch member, Mungo

Graham, Esquire, a relation of the Duke of Montrose, was present. All

bowed, without speaking, to Gwynplaine, who returned the salute by

touching his hat. The barrier-keeper lifted the wooden arm which,

pivoting on a hinge, formed the entrance to the far side of the Painted

Chamber, where stood the long table, covered with green cloth, reserved

for peers. A branch of lighted candles stood on the table. Gwynplaine,

preceded by the Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King-at-Arms, and Blue

Mantle, penetrated into this privileged compartment. The barrier-keeper

closed the opening immediately Gwynplaine had passed. The King-at-Arms,

having entered the precincts of the privileged compartment, halted. The

Painted Chamber was a spacious apartment. At the farther end, upright,

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The Man Who Laughs