man.  I have done no good, and it prevents me from running over to Holdesbury to see Nevil, for if “shindy letters,” as you call them, are bad, shindy meetings are worse.  I should be telling him my opinion of Shrapnel, he would be firing out, I should retort, he would yell, I should snap my fingers, and he would go into convulsions.  I am convinced that a cattle-breeder ought to keep himself particularly calm.  So unless I have further orders from you I refrain from going.

’The dinner was enthusiastic.  I sat three hours among my Commons, they on me for that length of time—­fatiguing, but a duty.’

Cecil subscribed his name with the warmest affection toward his uncle.

The brevity of the second letter had not brought him nearer to the truth in rescinding the picturesque accessories of his altercation with Dr. Shrapnel, but it veraciously expressed the sentiments he felt, and that was the palpable truth for him.

He posted the letter next morning.

CHAPTER XXXI

SHOWING A CHIVALROUS GENTLEMAN SET IN MOTION

About noon the day following, on board the steam-yacht of the Countess of Menai, Cecil was very much astonished to see Mr. Romfrey descending into a boat hard by, from Grancey Lespel’s hired cutter.  Steam was up, and the countess was off for a cruise in the Channel, as it was not a race-day, but seeing Mr. Romfrey’s hand raised, she spoke to Cecil, and immediately gave orders to wait for the boat.  This lady was a fervent admirer of the knightly gentleman, and had reason to like him, for he had once been her champion.  Mr. Romfrey mounted the steps, received her greeting, and beckoned to Cecil.  He carried a gold-headed horsewhip under his arm.  Lady Menai would gladly have persuaded him to be one of her company for the day’s voyage, but he said he had business in Bevisham, and moving aside with Cecil, put the question to him abruptly:  ’What were the words used by Shrapnel?’

‘The identical words?’ Captain Baskelett asked.  He could have tripped out the words with the fluency of ancient historians relating what great kings, ambassadors, or Generals may well have uttered on State occasions, but if you want the identical words, who is to remember them the day after they have been delivered?  He said: 

’Well, as for the identical words, I really, and I was tolerably excited, sir, and upon my honour, the identical words are rather difficult to....’  He glanced at the horsewhip, and pricked by the sight of it to proceed, thought it good to soften the matter if possible.  ’I don’t quite recollect . . .  I wrote off to you rather hastily.  I think he said—­but Palmet was there.’

‘Shrapnel spoke the words before Lord Palmet?’ said Mr. Romfrey austerely.

Captain Baskelett summoned Palmet to come near, and inquired of him what he had heard Shrapnel say, suggesting:  ’He spoke of a handsome woman for a housekeeper, and all the world knew her character?’