And I needs must say thee nay.

But, could'st thou think my heart to move
With that pale and silent scowl?
Know, he who would win a maiden's love,
Whether clad in cap or cowl,
Must be more of a lark than an owl.


Scythrop immediately replaced Dante on the shelf, and joined the
circle round the beautiful singer. Marionetta gave him a smile of
approbation that fully restored his complacency, and they continued
on the best possible terms during the remainder of the evening. The
Honourable Mr Listless turned over the leaves with double alacrity,
saying, 'You are severe upon invalids, Miss O'Carroll: to escape your
satire, I must try to be sprightly, though the exertion is too much
for me.'

* * * * *




CHAPTER VII


A new visitor arrived at the Abbey, in the person of Mr Asterias,
the ichthyologist. This gentleman had passed his life in seeking the
living wonders of the deep through the four quarters of the world;
he had a cabinet of stuffed and dried fishes, of shells, sea-weeds,