introduces another fellow, that fellow always cuts the other out."
Then, descending from the words of the wise and their dark sayings to a
petty but pertinent fact, he added, _"Besides,_ I'm only let in myself
about once in five times."

"She gives herself wonderful airs, it seems," said Bassett, rather
bitterly.

Marsh fired up. "So would any woman that was as beautiful, and as witty
and as much run after as she is. Why she is a leader of fashion. 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