out of Drury Lane-one of the courts near the theatre--I don't know much
of London. However, old Mel wouldn't have that. Nothing less than being
born in St. James's Square would content old Mel, and he must have a
Marquis for his father. I needn't be more particular. Before ladies--
ahem! But Burley was the shrewd hand of the two. Oh-h-h! such a card!
He knew the way to get into company without false pretences. Well, I
told you, he had lots more than L100,000--some said two--and he gave up
Ryelands; never asked for it, though he won it. Consequence was, he
commanded the services of somebody pretty high. And it was he got
Admiral Harrington made a captain, posted, commodore, admiral, and
K.C.B., all in seven years! In the Army it 'd have been half the time,
for the H.R.H. was stronger in that department. Now, I know old Burley
promised Mel to leave him his money, and called the Admiral an ungrateful
dog. He didn't give Mel much at a time--now and then a twenty-pounder or
so--I saw the cheques. And old Mel expected the money, and looked over
his daughters like a turkey-cock. Nobody good enough for them. Whacking
handsome gals--three! used to be called the Three Graces of Lymport. And
one day Burley comes and visits Mel, and sees the girls. And he puts his
finger on the eldest, I can tell you. She was a spanker! She was the
handsomest gal, I think, ever I saw. For the mother's a fine woman, and
what with the mother, and what with old Mel--'

'We won't enter into the mysteries of origin,' quoth Lady Jocelyn.

'Exactly, my lady. Oh, your servant, of course. Before ladies. A Burley
Bennet, I said. Long and short was, he wanted to take her up to London.
Says old Mel: "London 's a sad place."--" Place to make money," says
Burley. "That's not work for a young gal," says Mel. Long and short
was, Burley wanted to take her, and Mel wouldn't let her go.' Mr. George
lowered his tone, and mumbled, 'Don't know how to explain it very well