again!"

"I say, I'm looking forward to the break-down; ain't you?" and so on.

Whatever Mr Armstrong's anticipations may have been as to the rapture
of the coming "break-down," he contained himself admirably, and with his
glass inquiringly stuck in his eye, listened attentively to all that
went on, and occasionally speculated as to how Miss Rosalind Oliphant
was enjoying her visit to Maxfield.

The programme was half over, and Tom was repairing the ravages of nature
with a bun, when Mr Armstrong became suddenly aware of a person in the
row but one in front looking round fixedly in his direction.

To judge by the close-cropped, erect hair and stubbly chin of this
somewhat disreputable-looking individual, he was a foreigner; and when
presently, catching the tutor's eye, he began to indulge in pantomimic
gestures of recognition, it was safe to guess he was a Frenchman.

"Who's that chap nodding to you?" said Tom with his mouth full. "Is he
tipsy?"

"He lays himself open to the suspicion," said Mr Armstrong slowly. "At
any rate, as I vote we go put and get some fresh air, he will have to
find some one else to make faces at. Come along."

Tom did not at all like risking his seat, and particularly charged the
lady next to him to preserve it from invasion at the risk of her life.

Then wondering a little at Mr Armstrong's impatience to reach the fresh
air, he followed him out.

The Frenchman witnessed the proceeding with some little disappointment,
and sat craning his neck in the direction in which they had gone for
some minutes. Then, as if moved by a similar yearning for fresh air, he
too left his seat and went out.

The band was beginning to play as he did so, and most of the loiterers
were crowding back for the second part.

"You go in; I'll come directly," said Mr Armstrong to the boy.

Tom needed no second invitation, and a moment later had forgotten
everything in the delightful prelude to the "break-down." He did not
even observe that Mr Armstrong had not returned to his seat.

"Well, Gustav," said that gentleman in French as the foreigner
approached him, where he waited in the outer lobby.

"_Eh bien, man cher_," replied the other, "'ow 'appy I am to see you. I
can speak ze Englise foine, _n'est ce pas_?"

"What are you doing in London?"

"I am vaiter, _garcon_ at ze private hotel. 'Zey give me foods and
drinks and one black coat, but not no vage. _Oh, mon ami_, it is ver'
ver' 'ard."

"A