proviso. Colonel Manners, however, I must introduce to you by a
few specimens: he is so often, in common with all the equerries,
to appear on the scene, that I wish you to make a particular
acquaintance with him.

One evening, when we were all, as usual, assembled, he began a
discourse upon the conclusion of his waiting, which finishes with
the end of June:--"Now I don't think," cried he, "that it's well
managed: here we're all in waiting for three months at a time,
and then for nine months there's nothing!"

"Cry your mercy!" cried Colonel Goldsworthy, "if three months-
-three whole months--are not enough for you, pray take a few more
from mine to make up your market!"

"No, no, I don't mean that;--but why can't we have our waitings
month by month?--would not that be better?"

"I think not!--we should then have no time unbroken."

"Well, but would not that be better than what it is now? Why,
we're here so long, that when one goes away nobody knows one!--
one has quite to make a new acquaintance! Why, when I first come
out of waiting, I never know where to find anybody!"

The Ascot races were held at this time; the royal family were to
be at them one or two of the days. Colonel Manners earnestly
pressed Miss Port to be there. Colonel Goldsworthy said it was
quite immaterial to him who was there, for when he was attending
royalty he never presumed to think of any private comfort.