d with all his ears--"especially in connection
with ..." It was most unfortunate--but at this precise point the
official was seized with an attack of coughing, in which all was lost
but the conclusion of the sentence, " ... that have justly entitled him
to the gratitude and admiration of his fellow-countrymen."

Then the six compurgators came forward and vouched for Ventimore's
fitness to receive the freedom. He had painful doubts whether they
altogether understood what a responsibility they were undertaking--but
it was too late to warn them and he could only trust that they knew more
of their business than he did.

After this the City Chamberlain read him an address, to which Horace
listened in resigned bewilderment. The Chamberlain referred to the
unanimity and enthusiasm with which the resolution had been carried, and
said that it was his pleasing and honourable duty, as the mouthpiece of
that ancient City, to address what he described with some inadequacy as
"a few words" to one by adding whose name to their roll of freemen the
Corporation honoured rather themselves than the recipient of their
homage.

It was flattering, but to Horace's ear the phrases sounded excessive,
almost fulsome--though, of course, that depended very much on what he
had done, which he had still to ascertain. The orator proceeded to read
him the "Illustrious List of London's Roll of Fame," a recital which
made Horace shiver with apprehension. For what names they were! What
glorious deeds they had performed! How was it possible that he--plain
Horace Ventimore, a struggling architect who had missed his one great
chance--could have achieved (especially without even being aware of it)
anything that would not seem ludicrously insignificant by comparison?

He had a morbid fancy that the marble goddesses, or whoever they were,
at the base of Nelson's monument opposite, were regarding him with stony
disdain and indignation; that the statue of Wellington knew him for an
arrant impostor, and averted his head with cold contempt; and that the
effigy of Lord Mayor Beckford on the right of the dais would come to
life and denounce him in another moment.

"Turning now to your own distinguished services," he suddenly heard the
City Chamberlain resuming, "you are probably aware, sir, that it is
customary on these occasions to mention specifically the particular
merit which had been deemed worthy of civic recognition."

Horace was greatly relieved to hear