For three years they had not seen one another at all, and save once they had not met for five.

In five years a man may change his religion or lose his hair, inherit a principality or part with a reputation, grow a beard or turn teetotaler.

Nothing so fundamental had happened to either of our friends.

The Baron's fullness of contour we have already noticed; in Mandell-Essington, EX Bunker, was to be seen even less evidence of the march of time.

But years, like wheels upon a road, can hardly pass without leaving in their wake some faint impress, however fair the weather, and perhaps his hair lay a fraction of an inch higher up the temple, and in the corners of his eyes a hint might even be discerned of those little wrinkles that register the smiles and frowns.