it will be necessary
to extirpate the belief that all fungi, except the familiar mushroom,
are poisonous, and perhaps to appoint an army of inspectors to see that
only the right sort are brought to market."

"Yes, and that will give pleasant and congenial employment to those
youths of the working-classes who are ambitious of a higher career than
that of their fathers," said Lady Considine, "and the ratepayers will
rejoice, no doubt, that they are participating in the general elevation
of the masses."

"Perhaps Mrs. Gradinger will gather a few of her less deadly fungi, and
cook them and eat them herself, pour encourager les autres," said Miss
Macdonnell. "Then, if she doesn't die in agonies, we may all forswear
beef and live on toadstools."

"I certainly will," said Mrs. Gradinger; "and before we rise from table
I should like--"

"I fear we must hear your remarks at dinner, Mrs. Gradinger," said the
Marchesa. "Time is getting on, and some of the dishes to-day are rather
elaborate, so now to the kitchen."

Menu--Lunch.

Risotto alla Genovese. Savoury rice.
Pollo alla Villereccia. Chicken alla Villereccia.
Lingue di Castrato alla cucinira. Sheeps' tongues alla cucinira.

Menu--Dinner

Zuppa alla Veneziana. Venetian soup.
Sogliole alla giardiniera. Sole with Vegetables.
Timballo alla Romana. Roman pie.
Petto di Castrato alla salsa di burro. Breast of mutton with butter sauce.
Verdure miste. Mixed vegetables.
Crema rappresa. Coffee cream.
Ostriche alla Veneziana. Oyster savoury.

The Fourth Day

THE Colonel was certainly the most severely critical member of the
company. Up to the present juncture he had been sparing of censure, and
sparing of praise likewise, but on this day, after lunch, he broke forth
into loud praise of the dish of beef which appeared in the menu. After
specially commending this dish he went on--

"It seems to me that the dinner of yesterday and to-day's lunch bear
the cachet of a fresh and admirable school of cookery. In saying this
I don't wish to disparage the traditions which have governed the
preparation of the delicious dishes put before us up to that date, which
I have referred to as the parting of the ways, the date when the palate
of the expert might detect a new hand upon the keys, a phrase once
e