The Twelfth Hour

photograph in Savile's possession taken some forty years ago (by Mayall and Son, at Brighton). She was now an elderly lady, and still occupied the large ugly house in South Audl

lly any information conveyed to them during the time of their education. All historians and teachers alike were regarded as natural enemies from Pinnock to Plato. On the same principle, Savile wou

mode she had stuck, with a praiseworthy persistence, to the wax flowers under glass, Indian chessmen, circular tables in the centre of the room, surrounded by large books, and the rep curtains (crimson, with green borders) of pre-artistic days. Often she held forth to wondering young people, fo

acteristic of elderly relatives. The only special fault she found was that they were too young, especially Sylvia. Mrs. Crofton did not explain for what the girls were too young, but did her best to make Sylvia at least older by boring her to death about etiquette, religion, politics, cooking

derberry Wi

of ripe el

f gallons of

Gallon

nds of lo

clo

alls

sel with the boiling water, cover it closely

was quite devoted-

the late William that decorated every room, she ordered a luncheon of roast mutton and rice pudding, rhubarb tart and cream, almonds and raisins, and oranges, thinking that this menu w

p to her room (she could run when alone) and allowed him to be shown into the drawing-room by himself. Aunt Wi

d slightly as he contemplated the portrait of Uncle Mary, who was represented as leaning rather weakly for supp

se chaps wore!" thought Savile. "

of town again?" Aunt William

to New

at Lady Gaskaine's last night. I suppose she was the be

ow, Aunt William. She danced with Heath and Broughton, of cours

am seemed

seven! His father was considered one of the most fascinating men of his day, my d

e-case. Aunt William, pretending not to see it, passed him the matches as if in a fit of absence of mind.

ar boy, tell me

pocket the envelope con

the album last time I cam

blushed. She was g

in your pocket? I suppose it's Euclid,

m I've just found out. I know you like th

e was the only person wh

n a lowered voice. "

Spring a Young Man's Fancy,' that

know Eliza Cook? I think 'The Old Armchair'

heard

glad you're fond of poetry. Have you ever written any at all? You needn't be ashamed of it

wrote something yesterday. I say, you w

ertainl

ew ani

for literature is in the family. Once a second co

right. Here's my stuff. I rather thought I'

n harsh demeanour, Savile took out a folded s

sped her hands a

gressive, matter-of-fact m

bird, my s

ing, oh sing,

it has ever

, and picked it up, blushing at

ove to hear

She leant back and fanned hersel

vile. Warming to his work

I do if you

ou sing fo

fly to hear

ld melt a hea

ear, it's a poem!"

you can't judge till you'

th a smile, while he read the last verse

t got a s

it is, it be

yself t

I shall e'e

an embarra

pretty," said Aunt William, who had regained he

send to Her?" he sai

rdly say. Would

not going to te

shall be our secret," said

thing is great rot," he said apo

"Well! what I always say is, if you're bo

e) replaced the poem and said: "I shall have to

hom, my

ascertaining what one wants to know. He would confide, but never ans

gly (wishing she did). "Well

Aunt W

'm having my peach brocade done up. Tell dear Sylvia that if there's anyth

noist's. It's all fixed

nd my recipe for salmon mayonn

n you come to think of it,

iltily, as if it were conscience money. He, on his side, took it

ought to be in London, I can't and never shall, understand. However, I believe there's quite a sort of society in Kensi

here's Jasmyn

g's son. He's a

le. "Good-bye." He then turned back to murmur. "I say, A

was looking over the rail

at on her head and a blue bow in her hair, and had evidently provided herself with materials of amusement for the

She had large brown eyes and a long black plait, and was a graceful example of what was formerly called "the awkward age." It needed no

o, Do

an angel? I've just been reading all about him,

g, walked slowly with her to the ar

had

of Portsmouth,-and all those people. It says so here,

There's fu

I bet you anything you like you can't tell me those

Savile made an effort and then said, "Y

good gracious, no!

od as faithfully as I

p Sidney," she said, shutting

r Sovereign

no man re

't come here to talk his

hall I show you my new one of Zena Dare?

No, I've got something to tell you-something

re you in a

Talking sense doesn't show that one's in a bad

nearer to Savile, and looked rather

id in a different t

e way that blue bow is s

k sense, Savile. What is it?

ll found out that I can't be engaged

eem overwhelm

see. Is there some one

n his most

ing women's names. Now look here, Dolly, I me

sm

Well, it can't be Gladys: she's mu

it can't. Bes

nd, the fact is, I was just wanting to tell you myself that perhaps w

man?" He sp

to talk ve

dame de Saules,-you can't think how pretty she is,-and dear little Thérèse, and Robert have just come over

reigners are all rotters. I can tell you that if you're engage

not the proper thing in France. It isn't done. Oh no! Why, his mother would

iam! Well, look here, if this little blighter keeps his place I

e to h

looking angry. "He's a nice, han

his neck, that's all.

to the gat

d, you know, Dolly. I d

all righ

ly,

, Sa

y fond of y

ar boy. Come again whe

I?" sai