m time to time on visits. These were
usually arranged to coincide with Jenny's absences--in London or on the
Riviera--but one had not been arranged to coincide with the laying of
Jenny's foundation stone. And Mrs. Jepps was not there--although she had
been invited to have the honor of meeting His Royal Highness. There
Jenny had to accept defeat. But all the rest gathered round her from
borough and from county--Fillingford stiff but friendly, the Aspenicks
as friendly as if they had never been stiff, Dormer forgetful of his
injuries, Alison to bless the undertaking, Lord and Lady Lacey, fresh
back from their honeymoon, Cartmell--and Sir John Bindlecombe! He was
not actually Sir John yet, but His Royal Highness--who did his part
excellently, but confided wistfully to Cartmell that it was a splendid
hunting morning--was the bearer of a certain gracious intimation which
made us give the Mayor and Chairman of the Reception Committee brevet
rank at once. Sir John, then, held the mortar, while Jenny herself
handed the silver-gilt trowel. His Royal Highness well and truly laid
the stone, making thereafter a very pleasant little speech, concerning
the interest which his Family took and had always taken in institutes,
and the achievements and sterling British qualities of the man we were
there to commemorate, the late Mr. Nicholas Driver of Breysgate Priory.
It had been my privilege to coach His Royal Highness in the latter
subject, and he did full justice to my tuition. That done, he added a
few graceful words of his own concerning the munificent lady who stood
by his side, and the men of Catsford cheered Jenny till they were
hoarse. Amyas Lacey and Bindlecombe jumped forward to lead the cheers,
and four or five eminent men of science, whom I had contrived to induce
to come down, to add to the glory of the occasion, joined in with a
will. After that--luncheon for us, dinner for half the population; and a
brass band and a procession to conduct His Royal Highness back to the
station. His way lay past Mrs. Jepps's window; so I hope that she saw
him after all--without a stain on her principles!

"That's done, anyhow!" said Jenny. "Now the real work can go ahead!"

The next morning after this eventful day she dismissed me--summarily and
without warning.

"You must go, Austin," she told me. "I've been very selfish, and I'm
very ignorant. Of course I realized that your books are very clever,
though I don't understand them, but till I