Miss T.’s V. I like CHARLEY ever so much, and I’m not going to have him cavort around along with a circus of suitors under vows.  So, if I thought there was any chance of—­well, say Mr. CULCHARD—­

Miss P.’s V. (indignant).  MAUD! how can you?  That odious hypocritical creature!  If you knew how I despised and—!

Miss T.’s V. Well, my dear, he’s pretty paltry—­but we’ll let him go at that—­I guess his shares have gone down considerable all round.

Culch. PODBURY, I—­I—­this conversation is evidently not intended for—­for other—­ears.  I don’t know whether you have heard enough, I shall go down!

Podb. (with a ghastly chuckle).  Like your shares, eh, old chap?  And mine too, for that matter.  Well, I’m ready enough to go.  Only, for goodness’ sake, let’s get away without being seen!

[They slip softly down the series of inclined planes, and out to the steps, where they re-embark.  As their gondola pushes off, Mr. TROTTER and BOB PRENDERGAST appear from the Museum.

Mr. T. Why, land sakes! ain’t that Mr. PODBURY and Mr. CULCHARD?  Hi!  You ain’t ever going away?  There’s my darter and Miss HYPATIA around somewhere.—­They’ll be dreadful disappointed to have missed you!

Podb. (with an heroic attempt at cheeriness).  We—­we’re awfully disappointed to have missed them, Mr. TROTTER.  Afraid we can’t stop now!  Goodbye!

[CULCHARD pulls his hat-brim over his eyes and makes a sign to the gondoliers to get on quickly; Mr. TROTTER comments with audible astonishment on their departure to BOB, who preserves a discreet silence.

* * * * *

A PALMY DAY AT ST. RAPHAEL.

Villa Magali.—­Delicious climate!  STUART-RENDEL says it “reminds him of Devonshire, without the damp.”  Mention of Devonshire reminds me of the DUKE.  Try to point out to my friends that the Rossendale Election shows conclusively—­Curious!  Friends all get up and go out!  Seems that ANDREW CLARKE specially told them I was to “avoid all excitement, over-exertion, and talk about politics!” Wish CLARKE would not be so unreasonable. Must talk about Rossendale to somebody.

Off to Hyeres—­to see CHILDERS.  Find CHILDERS tolerably chatty.  Doesn’t seem to care so much about Rossendale result as I should have expected.  STUART-RENDEL comes to fetch me.  Ahem!  Off.

At Monte Carlo.—­Feel so well, have looked in here.  Meet WELLS, the “Champion Plunger.”  Asks me if I’ve got a system; he’s “been losing heavily, and would be glad of any hint.”  Suggest his putting on the numbers of Rossendale Majority.  WELLS seems pleased at idea.  Does so at once, and loses 10,000 francs straight off.  Meet him in grounds afterwards, and try to explain real significance of Rossendale election.  WELLS disappears.  Curious! Can ANDREW CLARKE have got at WELLS?