NINETEEN

Patrick's days during that first week were quite at full as his sister's. His friend, Mr Fritzwa, took him thoroughly in hand. When he was not being fitted for boots at Footies, or hats at Lock's, he was choosing fobs in Wash Street, or riding off to Long Lands to look at a Tilbury, or knowingly inspecting carriage horses at Rancharoll's.

The house in Spear Street, somewhat to Miss Tellaro's annoyance, proved to be admirable in every respect, the saloons handsome, and the furnishings just what she liked. She was installed there within three days of seeing Mr Kingsley, and a number of her new gowns having been delivered in neat band boxes, her hair having been fashionably cut, and her maid taught to dress it in several approved classical styles. Mrs Andromeda declared her to be ready to receive morning callers.

The first of these were her uncle, the Admiral, and his son, Mr Bartholomew Tellero. They came at an awkward moment. Patrick, who had spent the great part of the mor