.

I ought to have told you, when you asked me to write it, that such was the invariable fate of my compositions." Meanwhile, it certainly seemed that a truce had been called to the internal dissensions of St.Hospital.

On the pageant-ground one afternoon, in the midst of a very scratchy rehearsal, Brother Copas found himself by chance at the Chaplain's side.

The two had been watching in silence for a full five minutes, when he heard Mr.Colt addressing him in a tone of unusual friendliness.
"Wonderful how it seems to link us up, eh ?" "I beg your pardon, sir ?" "I was thinking, just then, of the St.Hospital uniform, which you have the honour to wear.

It seems--or Mr.Isidore has the knack of making it seem--the, er, _foil_ of the whole Pageant.