to spend the afternoon in the
kitchen helping prepare the last dinner.

Four dishes, all admirable, appeared at lunch, and several of the party
expressed regret that the heat of the weather forbade them from tasting
every one; but Sir John was not of these. He ate steadily through the
menu, and when he finally laid down his knife and fork he heaved a sigh,
whether of satisfaction or regret it were hard to say.

"It is a commonplace of the deepest dye to remark that ingratitude is
inherent in mankind," he began; "I am compelled to utter it, however, by
the sudden longing I feel for a plate from the hand of the late lamented
Narcisse after I have eaten one of the best luncheons ever put on a
table."

"Experience of one school of excellence has caused a hankering after the
triumphs of another," said Miss Macdonnell "There is one glory of the
Marchesa, there is, or was, another of Narcisse, and the taste of the
Marchesa's handiwork has stimulated the desire of comparision. Never
mind, Sir John, perhaps in another world Narcisse may cook you--"

"Oh stop, stop, for goodness' sake," cried Sir John, "I doubt whether
even he could make me into a dainty dish to set before the King of
Tartarus, though the stove would no doubt be fitted with the latest
improvements and the fuel abundant."

"Really, Sir John, I'm not sure I ought not to rise and protest," said
Mrs. Wilding, "and I think I would if it weren't our last day."

"Make a note of Sir John's wickedness, and pass it on to the Canon for
use in a sermon," said Van der Roet.

"I can only allow you half-an-hour, Laura," said the Marchesa to Mrs.
Sinclair, "then you must come and work with me for the delectation of
these idle people, who are going to spend the afternoon talking scandal
under the chestnuts."

"I am quite ready to join you if I can be of any help," said Mrs.
Gradinger. "When knowledge is to be acquired, I am always loath to
stand aside, not for my own sake so much as for the sake of others less
fortunate, to whom I might possibly impart it hereafter."

"You are very good," said the Marchesa, "but I think I must adhere to my
original scheme of having Mrs. Sinclair by herself. I see coffee is now
being taken into the garden, so we will adjourn, if you please."

After the two workers had departed for the kitchen, an unwonted silence
fell on the party under the chestnuts. Probably every one was pondering
over the imminent dissolution of the company, and wo