Sitting in the garden of the little Hertfordshire inn, Anthony drafted his application with the utmost care. All the time he tried to keep a tight hand upon his hopes--unruly and mettlesome fellows, which more than once had carried him into the meadow of Expectation before he knew where he was. There the going was splendid--till you came to the sunk fence.... His letter, when finally settled, was comprehensive enough. _c/o "The Leather Bottel." Nr. Malory, Herts._ _SIR (OR MADAM),_ _I beg to offer myself for the situation advertised in yesterday's issue of "The Times."_ _I am twenty-nine, unmarried, a little over six feet in height, healthy and very strong. I have no physical defects._ _I have just quitted the service of the Marquess of Banff. My departure was directly due to my inability to give such satisfaction as one member of his lordship's household required of me, but the Marquess, who is familiar with the facts, was so good as to say that, if and when I needed a "character," he would himself speak for me._ _I left the service of my previous employer because that gentleman was going abroad, and so had no further need of a footman. That was my first situation._ _I am accustomed to wait at table, answer the door, go out with the car, take care of silver, clean boots and knives, and carry coals: and I am ready to do anything that may be required of a man-servant. I have no objection to wearing powder._ _I have been receiving seventy-two pounds per annum, but since, if I come to you, I may bring my dog with me, I shall be content with a much lower wage._ _The dog in question--a Sealyham--is now recovering from distemper, and will not be fit to travel for another week, by which time I shall be ready to enter your service._ _Should you desire to see me, I will come for an interview at your convenience._ _I enclose a stamped addressed envelope, and shall be very grateful if you will inform me without delay if you are already suited._ _I am, Sir (or Madam), Yours obediently, A. LYVEDEN._ _Sunday, July 25th._ That he was an ex-officer, Lyveden deliberately omitted to mention; that he was a gentleman, he trusted that his style and handwriting would suggest. Had it been possible, he would have applied in person, not of self-confidence, but because he could have made plain one point, at any rate, upon which in a letter he feared to insist. This was that to have his dog with him he was willing to do his work for a shilling a day. It was not until after his tea that Anthony fair-copied his letter. When it was signed and sealed, he slid it into a pocket and, telling the mistress of the inn that he would like his supper at eight, took up his hat from the settle and strolled out into the sweet-scented lanes.