But if any damned parish can go to any damned man--" "I see your difficulty," said King Auberon, calmly.

"You feel that your talents may be neglected.

Listen!" And he rose with immense magnificence.

"I solemnly give to my liege subject, James Barker, my special and splendid favour, the right to override the obvious text of the Charter of the Cities, and to be, in his own right, Lord High Provost of South Kensington.

And now, my dear James, you are all right.