Are they? I don't remember noticing them. However! My name, Mr. Ventimore, is Wackerbath--Samuel Wackerbath, of Wackerbath and Greatrex, a firm of auctioneers and estate agents whose name may--ah--possibly be not unfamiliar to you. HORACE. [_Who has obviously never heard it before._] Oh, of course--of course. MR. WACKERBATH. I may tell you that for the last few years I have rented an old place--Moatham Abbey they call it--in Surrey, which is not quite as up-to-date as I could wish in the matter of modern conveniences. HORACE. That's not unusual with ancient abbeys, is it? MR. WACKERBATH. [_Solemnly._] Precisely. Well, to come to the point, I've lately acquired some land in the neighbourhood of Surrey and Hampshire, with a view to building a country residence. [_HORACE becomes more interested, and seats himself at table on MR. WACKERBATH'S right._] You see, there's an excellent site--on a hill with a south aspect, just above the village of Lipsfield, and overlooking the valley and river---- HORACE. [_Making a note._] Well, Mr. Wackerbath----? MR. WACKERBATH. Well, as I was saying only a minute or two ago to a friend as we were crossing Westminster Bridge on our way to Waterloo----[_He pauses, with an endeavour to recollect._] Where _was_ I? HORACE. Waterloo. MR. WACKERBATH. Ah, yes. I remarked to him: "All I require is a thoroughly capable architect." [_HORACE grows alert and excited._] And instantly _your_ name flashed across my mind. So I--ah--hurried off at once, and--here I _am_! HORACE. [_With a sudden misgiving._] May I ask--you--you weren't _recommended_ to me by--by--[_he looks round at the door through which FAKRASH has vanished_]--any one? MR. WACKERBATH. [_With dignity._] Certainly not! It was--ah--entirely my own idea. But why do you ask? [_Huffily._] Is an introduction necessary? HORACE. [_Relieved._] No, no--not in the least! I--I merely asked. I shall be very pleased to undertake the commission. Could you give me some idea of the amount you thought of spending on the house? MR. WACKERBATH. Well, I don't think I could go to more than--say, _sixty_ thousand pounds. HORACE. [_Half rising in his surprise._] Sixty thousand! [_He recollects himself and sits down in assumed calm._] Oh, not more than _that_? I _see_. MR. WACKERBATH. For the house itself. But there'll be the out-buildings--and the decorations. Altogether, I sha'n't complain so long as the total doesn't exceed a hundred thousand. I take it that, for that sum, Mr. Ventimore, you could give me a country-house that I shall have no cause--ah--to feel ashamed of. HORACE. I can safely promise _that_. And now--when could I run down and have a look at the site, and go into the matter thoroughly? MR. WACKERBATH. We must fix a day later. I'm rather in a hurry now; and besides, I must consult the wife. Perhaps you could give me an appointment here? HORACE.