At the head of the committee of arrangements was a sister of the doctor's wife, named Pauline Clinton.

This will explain the following letter which, Fletcher received the succeeding day:-- "FITZGERALD FLETCHER, ESQ .-- Dear Sir: Understanding that you are a superior reader, we should be glad of your assistance in lending _eclat_ to the Fair which we propose to hold on the evening of the 29th.

Will you be kind enough to occupy twenty minutes by reading such selections as in your opinion will be of popular interest?
It is desirable that you should let me know as soon as possible what pieces you have selected, that they may be printed on the programme.
"Yours respectfully, "PAULINE CLINTON, "(for the Committee)." This note reached Fletcher at a time when he was still smarting from his disappointment in obtaining promotion from the Clionian Society.
He read it with a flushed and triumphant face.

He never thought of questioning its genuineness.

Was it not true that he was a superior reader?
What more natural than that he should be invited to give _eclat_ to the Fair by the exercise of his talents! He felt it to be a deserved compliment.