Hatchways

S A BISHOP . . 220 XVIII. THE TALE OF MARK 233 XIX. THE WORST OVER 245 XX. IMPLICATION OF ELEVEN IN FANTS . 263 XXI. IT . . 286 XXIII. CURTAIN DOWN . . 316 PART I BY BACHELORS So, in short, you remain on the ground for the present, and you choose our ground to remain on, Gabriel. That is pleasant of you, anyhow. I have not seen your ground, said Gabriel du Frettay, unless from several thousand metres above it. So I alight, Sir George, and I take a level observation. He settled into his basket-chair, and proceeded to do so. Level, said his host, I feel sure it will be. You want to look about you, eh And what section of English society do you want to see Every section, said M. du Frettay. But I like the upper layers best. You do He rested slightly on the pronoun. Evidently. When I was young, I preferred the top layer of the chocolate-boxes always. But that did not prevent me, with an open mind, from tasting the rest. You like chocolate said his host, stopping in his promenade to look at his young visitor with keen kindly eyes. Madly, said du Frettay gravely. Excuse me-so did your father. Dear me, the time it seems. . . . Very good, he pursued, after an interval. Then, having not very long to spend in our box of an island, you wish to see-- 4 HATCHWAYS M. du Irettays eyes glowed. I wish to see a Duke, if you please, and a Bishop, and a Baconian, and a boxing professional. I should like to meet an undergraduate, and what you call a-an Orange-man, and one of those who uphold the defunct Majesty Charles the First. Him I shall embrace very probably - the boxing gentleman I shall avoid it. I must meet women of all sorts yet that, I understand, in your box I am bound. Women are in evidence, with you. The Bishops large family of daughters, all on platforms, eclipse the Bishop. The Duchess eclipses the Duke. The bonnet eclipses the Salvation lady, yet she also is to be seen. Distinctly, said Sir George. But beware of her, she is used to scoffing. . . . Well, Gabriel, you have certainly come prepared. But are you aware you have come to the wrong person Not the least, said Gabriel, who was enjoying by far the most sympathetic hospital it his letters of introduction had yet unearthed for him in London. He looked round him at the queer little quarters, obviously a flitting home-a foothold as the French say-with curiosity irom which courtesy excluded amusement. He knew his fathers old friend had simple tastes still, h e had expected at least a few lion-skins, and a poisoned dagger or two-some local colour from the uncharted corners of the earth in which Sir George Trenchard had spent most of his life. There was nothing whatever, unless the proofs on the table, to advertise the abode of a celebrated man. Sir George replied to the expressive glance at once. I am only in England for short seasons myself, he said, and the whole time I spend in preparing to plunge again. I see the people that need me - he had been summoned to Court, Gabriel knew, quite recently- to the exclusion often of my best friends...