o be rustic beauty's school-master.

The green door in the garden wall was still a little open when he
reached it, but he could hear neither music nor voices.

The evening concert had not yet begun, and he was fain to stroll on
a little farther. This of itself was something of an offence to his
majesty, though he hardly saw on whom to fix it. He did not know his way
round to the front of the house, and did not care to present himself at
the rear unless there were somebody there to receive him. He lit a new
cigar to pass away the time, and re-enacted his first and only interview
with the girl he had made up his mind to subjugate. In the course of
this mental exercise he experienced anew the sense of slight he had felt
at her hands, but in a more piercing manner. He had spoken to her,
and she had waved her hand against him as if he had been a child to be
silenced. He had spoken to her again, and she had not even responded.
In point of fact she had ignored him. The more he looked at it the more
remarkable this fact appeared, and the more uncomfortable and the more
resolved he felt about it.

When his cigar was smoked half through he sighted the upright and
stalwart figure of Reuben Gold, who was striding at a great pace towards
him, swinging his violin-case in one hand. Ferdinand paused to await
him..

"Good-evening, Mr. Gold," he said, as Reuben drew near.

"Good-evening," said Reuben, raising his eyes for a moment, and nodding
with a preoccupied air. His rapid steps carried him past Ferdinand in an
instant, and before the young gentleman could propose to join him he was
so far in advance that it was necessary either to shout or run to bring
him to a more moderate pace. Ferdinand raised his eye-glass and surveyed
the retreating figure with some indignation, and dropped it with a
little click against one of his waistcoat-buttons. Then he smiled
somewhat wry-facedly.

"A cool set, upon my word," he murmured. "Boors, pure and simple."

He was half inclined to change his mind and stay away from the al fresco
concert, but then the idea of the duty he owed himself in respect to
that contumelious young beauty occurred to him, and he decided to go,
after all. He followed, therefore, in Reuben's hasty footsteps, but at
a milder pace, and, regaining the green door, looked into the garden and
saw the quartette party already assembled. Old Fuller, who was the first
to perceive him, came forward with rough heartiness, and shook