ll let me tempt you to
partake of some slight refreshment--just a snack?"

Horace was not hungry, but it occurred to him that he might get through
the ceremony with more credit after a glass of champagne; so he accepted
the invitation, and was conducted to an extemporised buffet at one end
of the Library, where he fortified himself for the impending ordeal with
a _caviare_ sandwich and a bumper of the driest champagne in the
Corporation cellars.

"They talk of abolishing us," said the Lord Mayor, as he took an anchovy
on toast; "but I maintain, Mr. Ventimore--I maintain that we, with our
ancient customs, our time-honoured traditions, form a link with the
past, which a wise statesman will preserve, if I may employ a somewhat
vulgar term, untinkered with."

Horace agreed, remembering a link with a far more ancient past with
which he devoutly wished he had refrained from tinkering.

"Talking of ancient customs," the Lord Mayor continued, with an odd
blend of pride and apology, "you will shortly have an illustration of
our antiquated procedure, which may impress you as quaint."

Horace, feeling absolutely idiotic, murmured that he felt sure it would
do that.

"Before presenting you for the freedom, the Prime Warden and five
officials of the Candlestick-makers' Company will give their testimony
as compurgators in your favour, making oath that you are 'a man of good
name and fame,' and that (you will be amused at this, Mr.
Ventimore)--that you 'do desire the freedom of this city, whereby to
defraud the Queen or the City.' Ha, ha! Curious way of putting it, is it
not?"

"Very," said Horace, guiltily, and not a little concerned on the
official's account.

"A mere form!" said the Lord Mayor; "but I for one, Mr. Ventimore--I for
one should be sorry to see the picturesque old practices die out. To my
mind," he added, as he finished a _pate de foie gras_ sandwich, "the
modern impatience to sweep away all the ancient landmarks (whether they
be superannuated or not) is one of the most disquieting symptoms of the
age. You won't have any more champagne? Then I think we had better be
making our way to the Great Hall for the Event of the Day."

"I'm afraid," said Horace, with a sudden consciousness of his
incongruously Oriental attire--"I'm afraid this is not quite the sort of
dress for such a ceremony. If I had known----"

"Now, don't say another word!" said the Lord Mayor. "Your costume is
very nice--very nice indeed, and-