'Sylvana,' said Mrs. Tomkin-Jones severely, 'I cannot possibly compose a letter whilst conversation is going on behind my back. I have made a blotch of this letter and shall have to write it again. Just listen and say if this will do. "Dear Mrs. Jose,――Ten thousand thanks for those splendid spring chickens you have been so good as to send me. I think that I have never seen any before so plump, so delicate and toothsome."' 'But, ma'am,' insisted Jack, 'the hamper has not yet been opened.' 'Ah! true. I had best see the fowls. Will you kindly cut the twine, I have no knife. Sylvana, I must write this letter over again. Listen. "I have never seen before any so plump, so delicate and toothsome, and we all look forward to enjoy scandal for women!" There, you see what you have made me say. I must take another sheet and re-write my letter.' * * * * * In the meanwhile Winefred was walking with her father in Pulteney Street. Thence they entered Sydney Gardens. 'My dear child,' said Mr. Holwood, 'may I inquire who is that young gentleman, so elegantly dressed, whom you seemed to recognise, and who saluted you with such refinement of manner?' 'Oh! that is Mr. Frank Wardroper.' 'Really! Then the old gentleman in the bath-chair propelled by a black servant is Sir Barnaby? 'Pon my soul, what a wreck! and I remember him so different.' With raised hat, and bows as graceful as those of Mr. Frank Wardroper, Mr. Holwood approached the chair and introduced himself. The baronet held forth a shaky and contracted hand. [Illustration: MR. HOLWOOD APPROACHED THE CHAIR AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF.] 'Allow me to introduce my daughter,' said Holwood. 'Odds life!' exclaimed the baronet, 'I congratulate you. A charming face. But, bless me! Holwood, I did not know you had been married.' 'I had the misfortune to lose my wife early,' answered Winefred's father in some confusion. 'Ah! by gad! glad it was not I. What I should do without Lady Wardroper to dress me and help me feed I do not know. No valet comes quite up to a wife in these matters. The wind is tempered to the shorn lamb. Gad! I'm glad I did not lose my wife. But, there, you are no cripple, so it don't concern you. Have you married again?' 'No, Sir Barnaby.' 'Gad! I like that. Frank, my boy, mark that! It might go among "The Percy Anecdotes" as an example of fidelity.' 'Sir,' said Frank, 'if the mother at all resembled the daughter, he could do no other.' 'Very well put. The boy has wit,' said the baronet. 'Who was she? Any one I know?――or the family?' 'I fear not, Sir Barnaby. I am truly sorry to see you in this plight. How long has this been coming on you?' 'Gad! it has been slow in progress, and how long it will continue the Lord alone knows. I can enjoy nothing. The world has used me badly, crumpled me up like an old rag――and you?'