"A hit--a palpable hit," said the captain, jocosely exhibiting the
tails of his threadbare shooting jacket, as a practical commentary on
Magdalen's remark. "My dear girl, here or elsewhere, the crop never
fails--but one man can't always gather it in. The assistance of
intelligent co-operation is, I regret to say, denied me. I have nothing
in common with the clumsy rank and file of my profession, who convict
themselves, before recorders and magistrates, of the worst of all
offenses--incurable stupidity in the exercise of their own vocation.
Such as you see me, I stand entirely alone. After years of successful
self-dependence, the penalties of celebrity are beginning to attach to
me. On my way from the North, I pause at this interesting city for the
third time; I consult my Books for the customary references to past
local experience; I find under the heading, 'Personal position in York,'
the initials, T. W. K., signifying Too Well Known. I refer to my Index,
and turn to the surrounding neighborhood. The same brief marks meet my
eye. 'Leeds. T. W. K.--Scarborough. T. W. K.--Harrowgate. T. W. K.'--and
so on. What is the inevitable consequence? I suspend my proceedings; my
resources evaporate; and my fair relative finds me the pauper gentleman
whom she now sees before her.
Pages:
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355