the afternoon on the encircling divan of the billiard-room,

smoking his pipe, sipping a pint of ale, and enjoying to the

masthead the modest pleasures of admiration.

None can admire like a young man. Of all youth's passions

and pleasures, this is the most common and least alloyed; and

every flash of Alan's black eyes; every aspect of his curly

head; every graceful reach, every easy, stand-off attitude of

waiting; ay, and down to his shirt-sleeves and wrist-links,

were seen by John through a luxurious glory. He valued

himself by the possession of that royal friend, hugged

himself upon the thought, and swam in warm azure; his own

defects, like vanquished difficulties, becoming things on

which to plume himself. Only when he thought of Miss

Mackenzie there fell upon his mind a shadow of regret; that

young lady was worthy of better things than plain John

Nicholson, still known among schoolmates by the derisive name

of 'Fatty'; and he felt, if he could chalk a cue, or stand at

ease, with such a careless grace as Alan, he could approach

the object of his sentiments with a less crushing sense of

inferiority.

Before they parted, Alan made a proposal that was startling

in the extreme. He would be at Colette's that night about

twelve, he said. Why should not John come there and get the

money? To go to Colette's was to see life, indeed; it was

Tales and Fantasies