s quite stiff from sitting so long in the same position. So,
sighing to think that such a vulgar necessity as that of obtaining
food should force him to depart, he put up his unused fishing-rod and
started for Isleworth, where he arrived just as the bell was ringing
for lunch.

George received him with cold civility, and asked him what sport he
had, to which he was forced to reply--none.

"Did you see anybody there?"

"Yes, I met Miss Caresfoot."

"Ah! trust a girl to trail out a man. What is she like? I remember her
a raw-boned girl of fourteen with fine eyes."

"I think that she is the handsomest woman I ever saw," Arthur replied,
coldly.

"Ah!" said George, with a rude little laugh, "youth is always
enthusiastic, especially when the object is of the dairymaid cut."

There was something so intensely insolent in his host's way of talking
that Arthur longed to throw a dish at him, but he restrained his
feelings, and dropped the subject.

"Let me see, you are only just home from India, are you?" asked
George, presently.

"I got back at the beginning of last month."

"And what were you doing there?"

"Travelling about and shooting."

"Did you get much sport?"

"No, I was rather unfortunate, but I and another fellow killed two
tigers, and went after a rogue elephant; but he nearly killed us. I
got some very good ibix-shooting in Cashmere, however."

"What do you intend to do with yourself now? Your education has been
extravagantly expensive, especially the Cambridge part of it. Are you
going to turn it to any account?"

"Yes. I am going to travel for another year, and then read for the
Bar. There is no particular object in being called too young, and I
wish to see something more of the world first."

"Ah! I see, idleness called by a fine name."

"Really I cannot agree with you," said Arthur, who was rapidly losing
his temper.

"Of course you can't, but every man has a right to choose his own road
to the dogs. Come," he added, with a smile of malice, as he noticed
Arthur's rising colour, "no need to get angry; you see I stand _in
loco parentis_, and feel bound to express my opinion."

"I must congratulate you on the success with which you assume the
character," answered Arthur, now thoroughly put-out; "but, as
everything I have done or mean to do is so distasteful to you, I think
it is a pity that you did not give me the benefit of your advice a
little sooner."

George's only answer was a laugh,