“Thus you will perceive, my dear dad, that an element of interest—­a dramatic element—­is being slowly evolved out of the commonplace duties of my position.  This nucleus of interest may grow and develop into something startling; or it may die slowly out and expire for lack of material to feed itself upon.  In any case, dear dad, you may expect a frequent feuilleton from

                        “Your affectionate Son,
                    “J.M. (otherwise JAMES JASMIN).

     “P.S.—­I should not like to be a real flunkey all my life.  Such a
     position is not without its advantages to a man of a lazy turn, but
     it is terribly soul-subduing.  Not a sign yet of the G.H.D.”

“There is nothing much in all this to tell her ladyship,” said Mr. Madgin, as he took off his spectacles and refolded the letter.  “Still, I do not think it by any means a discouraging report.  If James’s patience only equal his shrewdness and audacity, and if there be really anything to worm out, he will be sure to make himself master of it in the course of time.  Ah! if he had only my patience, now—­the patience of an old man who has won half his battles by playing a waiting game.”

“Is it not possible that Lady Chillington may want you to read the letter?”

“It is quite possible.  But James’s irreverent style is hardly suited in parts for her ladyship’s ears.  You, dear child, must make an improved copy of the letter.  Your own good taste will tell you which sentences require to be altered or expunged.  Here and there you may work in a neat compliment to your father; as coming direct from James, her ladyship will not deem it out of place—­it will not sound fulsome in her ears, and will serve to remind her of what she too often forgets—­that in Solomon Madgin she has a faithful steward, who ought to be better rewarded than he is.  Write out the copy at once, my child, and I will take it up to Deepley Walls the first thing to-morrow morning.”

(To be continued.)

ABOUT THE WEATHER.

Why is it that we in England talk so much about the weather?  One reason, I suppose, is because we are shy and awkward in the presence of strangers, and the weather is a safe subject far removed from personalities of any kind.  Then the variableness of our climate furnishes an opportunity for comment which does not exist in countries where for months there is not a cloud in the sky, and you can tell long before what kind of weather there will be on any particular day.