ady in is
not much to be feared. I have given him his warning. He tops me by about
a head, and loses his temper every two minutes. I could have drawn him
out deliciously if he had not rather disturbed mine. By this time my
equanimity is restored. The only thing I apprehend is your displeasure
with me for having gone to the man. I have done no good, and it prevents
me from running over to Holdesbury to see Nevil, for if "shindy letters,"
as you call them, are bad, shindy meetings are worse. I should be telling
him my opinion of Shrapnel, he would be firing out, I should retort, he
would yell, I should snap my fingers, and he would go into convulsions. I
am convinced that a cattle-breeder ought to keep himself particularly
calm. So unless I have further orders from you I refrain from going.

'The dinner was enthusiastic. I sat three hours among my Commons, they on
me for that length of time--fatiguing, but a duty.'

Cecil subscribed his name with the warmest affection toward his uncle.

The brevity of the second letter had not brought him nearer to the truth
in rescinding the picturesque accessories of his altercation with Dr.
Shrapnel, but it veraciously expressed the sentiments he felt, and that
was the palpable truth for him.

He posted the letter next morning.

CHAPTER XXXI

SHOWING A CHIVALROUS GENTLEMAN SET IN MOTION

About noon the day following, on board the steam-yacht of the Countess of
Menai, Cecil was very much astonished to see Mr. Romfrey descending into
a boat hard by, from Grancey Lespel's hired cutter. Steam was up, and the
countess was off for a cruise in the Channel, as it was not a race-day,
but seeing Mr. Romfrey's hand raised, she spoke to Cecil, and immediately
gave orders to wait for the boat. This lady was a fervent admirer of the
knightly gentleman, and had reason to like him, for he had once been her
champion. Mr. Romfrey mounted the steps, received her greeting, and
beckoned to Cecil. He carried a gold-headed horsewhip under his arm. Lady
Menai would gladly have persuaded him to be one of her company for the
day's voyage, but he said he had business in Bevisham, and moving aside
with Cecil, put the question to him abruptly: 'What were the words used
by Shrapnel?'

'The identical words?' Captain Baskelett asked. He could have tripped out
the words with the fluency of ancient historians relating what great
kings, ambassadors, or Generals may well have uttered on State occasions,
bu