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admitted till 1707.
CHAPTER VI.
THE HIGH AND THE LOW.
All at once a bright light broke upon the House. Four doorkeepers
brought and placed on each side of the throne four high candelabra
filled with wax-lights. The throne, thus illuminated, shone in a kind
of purple light. It was empty but august. The presence of the queen
herself could not have added much majesty to it.
The Usher of the Black Rod entered with his wand and announced,--
"
The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty."
The hum of conversation immediately subsided.
A clerk, in a wig and gown, appeared at the great door, holding a
cushion worked with fleurs de lis, on which lay parchment documents.
These documents were bills. From each hung the bille, or bulle, by a
silken string, from which laws are called bills in England and bulls at
Rome. Behind the clerk walked three men in peers' robes, and wearing
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