_Later_.--We have done an ancient gaol, the church, and a fishermen's almshouse--and I have not seen my chance _yet_. PONKING determined to see all he can for his money. LOUISE, more demonstrative than she has been of late, clings to my arm. It is past two, but we are working our way, slowly, towards the quay. PONKING suggests visit to Fisherring Establishment. Now is my chance; say I won't go in--don't like herrings--will wait outside. To my surprise, they actually meet me half-way! "If you want to get back to your play-writing, old chap," says PONKING (really not a bad fellow, PONKING!) "don't you mind _us_--we'll take care of one another!" Just as deliverance is at hand, that infernal ALF comes up from the quay, with an eye that is positively _iridescent!_ "Oh, look at his poor eye!" cries LOUISE. I look--and I see that he means "_being nasty_." He addresses me: "Why ain't you on board your swell yacht, taking lunch along with that girl, eh?" he inquires. Exclamations from LOUISE: "Girl? yacht? who? what?" and then--it all comes out! [Illustration: Thrown over at a Watering-place.] Painful scene; fortunate there are so few looking on. LOUISE renounces me for ever opposite the Town-hall. "She knew I was a muff, but she had thought I was too much the gentleman to act deceitful!" PONKING is of opinion I "haven't a gentlemanly action in me." So is ALF, who adds that he "always felt somehow he could never make a pal of me." There is balm in _that!_ Thank goodness, it is over! I am _free_--free to think of ETHEL as much as I like! I see now what a wretched infatuation all this has been. I can tell her about it some day--if I think it necessary. I am not sure I _shall_ think it necessary--at all events, just yet. I am a little late, but I can apologise for that. Odd--but I can't find the _Amaryllis_ anywhere! Ask. A seaman on a post says "There _was_ a yacht he see being towed out 'bout 'arf an hour back--he didn't take no partickler notice of her name." No doubt I mistook the moorings--better ask at hotel, perhaps. I do. Waiter says if I am the gentleman by name of CONEY, there are two notes for me in Coffee-Room. Open first--from Mr. DERING. "Regrets; unforeseen circumstances--compelled to sail at once, and give up pleasure, &c." Second--from ETHEL; there is hope still--or would she write? [Illustration: A love-lorn Romeo ready for his Beer.] "Dear Mr. CONEY,--So sorry to go away without seeing you. You might have told me of your engagement yourself, I think--I should have been so interested. Your brother-in-law and his aunt thought it necessary to call and inform us. We are delighted that you are having a pleasanter time here than you gave us to understand last night. With best wishes for all possible happiness," &c. So _that_ was ALF'S revenge--it was a good one! After that, I shake off the sand of Starmouth--for ever! * * * * * [Illustration: A GOOD EXAMPLE.