Look
at all the ladies following her round the park. They used to drive on
the north side of the Serpentine. She just held up her finger, and now
they have cut the Serpentine, and followed her to the south drive."
"Oh, indeed!" said Bassett. "Ah then this is a great lady; a poor
country squire must not venture into her august presence." He turned
savagely on his heel, and Marsh went and made sickly mirth at his
expense.
By this means the matter soon came to the ears of old Mr. Woodgate, the
father of that club, and a genial gossip. He got hold of Bassett in the
dinner-room and examined him. "So you want an introduction to La
Somerset, and Marsh refuses--Marsh, hitherto celebrated for his weak
head rather than his hard heart?"
Richard Bassett nodded rather sullenly. He had not bargained for this
rapid publicity.
The venerable chief resumed: "We all consider Marsh's conduct
unclubable and a thing to be combined against. Wanted--an
Anti-dog-in-the-manger League. I'll introduce you to the Somerset."
"What! do _you_ visit her?" asked Bassett, in some astonishment.
The old gentleman held up his hands in droll disclaimer, and chuckled
merrily "No, no; I enjoy from the shore the disasters of my youthful
friends--that sacred pleasure is left me. Do you see that elegant
creature with the little auburn beard and mustache, waiting sweetly for
his dinner.
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