'Ah! true. I had best see the fowls. Will you kindly cut the twine, I have no knife. Sylvana, I must write this letter over again. Listen. "I have never seen before any so plump, so delicate and toothsome, and we all look forward to enjoy scandal for women!" There, you see what you have made me say. I must take another sheet and re-write my letter.'
In the meanwhile Winefred was walking with her father in Pulteney Street. Thence they entered Sydney Gardens.
'My dear child,' said Mr. Holwood, 'may I inquire who is that young gentleman, so elegantly dressed, whom you seemed to recognise, and who saluted you with such refinement of manner?'
'Oh! that is Mr. Frank Wardroper.'
'Really! Then the old gentleman in the bath-chair propelled by a black servant is Sir Barnaby? 'Pon my soul, what a wreck! and I remember him so different.'
With raised hat, and bows as graceful as those of Mr. Frank Wardroper, Mr. Holwood approached the chair and introduced himself.
The baronet held forth a shaky and contracted hand.
