s or inscribing entries in ledgers and day books. At my
entrance one of them glanced up and then came forward, asking what he
could do for me. I stated my difficulty, upon which he said:

"There certainly are livery stables in Kingston at which you could hire
a vehicle to convey you to the Pen; but I think it will be quite
unnecessary for you to do so upon the present occasion, for I happen to
know that our Mr Todd is engaged to dine with the admiral to-night--
indeed I believe he is at this moment dressing, upstairs. And I am sure
he will be delighted to give you a seat in his _ketureen_. If you will
be good enough to give me your card I will take it up to him at once."

"Oh but," said I, "it is quite impossible that I can thus trespass upon
the kindness of a total stranger!"

"Not at all," answered my interlocutor. "Mr Todd will be only too
pleased, I assure you. And as to `trespassing upon his kindness', this
must surely be your first visit to this part of the world, or you would
not talk like that. Have you been long in?"

"I arrived this afternoon only, with dispatches from the West Coast,"
said I.

"And you have never been in the West Indies before? Ah, that accounts
for it! Now, if you will kindly take a seat and let me have your card,
we can arrange this little matter in very short order."

What could I do, under such circumstances, but hand over my card, still
protesting? Two minutes later my new acquaintance reappeared with an
invitation for me to walk upstairs. I was ushered into a large room,
with the light so greatly dimmed by the closed jalousies, and the bare
floor polished to such a glass-like slipperiness by the daily
application of beeswax that I first ran foul of a chair, and then very
nearly foundered in the endeavour to preserve my balance. I thought I
caught a sound somewhat like that of a suppressed titter, but could not
be certain. I, however, heard a very gentle and musical voice say:

"How do you do, Mr Grenvile? I am very pleased to make your
acquaintance. Lucy, dear, please throw open the jalousies. We are so
dark here that Mr Grenvile cannot see where he is."

Then, as the jalousies were flung back and the evening light streamed
into the apartment, I became aware of a rather stout lady--very pale,
but still good-looking, although she had probably passed over to the
shady side of forty--standing before me with outstretched hand, waiting
patiently for me to take it, whi