of music that he chose to think befitting a clergyman, was, in his
turn, looking over the drawing-room scrap book. Miss Gwynne gave her
papa a sly push, and whispered, that she believed Mr Rowland Prothero
played chess.

Mr Gwynne aroused himself, and challenged his young neighbour. Miss
Gwyne, assisted by all the gentlemen, brought the chess-table, and the
game soon began.

There is no doubt that there is nothing in the world more selfish, more
absorbing, more disagreeable to every one excepting the players, than
chess. Mr Gwynne began his game half asleep; Rowland began his in a very
bad temper. The former was glad of anything that could keep him awake,
the latter was disgusted at having been made the victim of Miss Gwynne's
anxiety to preserve her father from falling fast asleep in the midst of
his guests. But, by degrees, the one was thoroughly aroused, and the
other forgot his annoyance. Both soon ignored the presence of any human
being save himself and his opponent.

Music and talking sounded on all sides, but they made no impression on
the chess-players. Lady Mary performed all her most brilliant airs and
variations in vain, as far as Mr Gwynne was concerned; and Rowland was
even unconscious that Netta had resolutely played through all the small
pieces she had learnt at school at the particular request of Sir Hugh
Pryse.

'That game will never finish,' at last exclaimed Lady Mary, approaching
Mr Gwynne. 'How can any one like chess?'

Mr Gwynne kept his finger on a piece he was about to move, glanced up,
but did not speak.

'They tell me you ought to have at least five or six moves in your eye
whilst you are making one,' said Sir Hugh. 'For my part, I always find
one move at a time more than I can manage. It certainly is the dullest
game ever invented.'

'Chess is a game of great antiquity,' said the Rev. Jonathan
sententiously. 'It is supposed to have been invented in China or
Hindustan, and was known in the latter place by the name _Chaturanga_,
that is, four _angas_, or members of an army.'

'The army must be proud to send such members to parliament,' said young
Rice Rice, with a consciousness of superior wit, in which the remainder
of the party did not appear to participate.

'True, young gentleman,' said Mr Jonathan, 'and well she might, for they
were elephants, horses, chariots, and foot-soldiers; but what such
members of an army have to do with parliament, I should be glad to hear
you explain.