"Please excuse me, sir. As it happened, I had a word or two more to say on the

topic of - as you put it yourself - the glories of nature. If you will indulge

me by listening, I would be most grateful. But I am afraid this will have to

wait for another occasion. "

 

"Well, I shall look forward to it, Stevens.

 

Though I'm more of a fish man myself. I know all about fish, fresh water and

salt."

 

"All living creatures will be relevant to our forthcoming discussion, sir.

However, you must now please excuse me. I had no idea M. Dupont had arrived."

 

I hurried back to the house to be met immediately by the first footman saying:

"We've been looking all over for you, sir. The French gentleman's arrived."

 

M. Dupont was a tall, elegant gentleman with a grey beard and a monocle. He had

arrived in the sort of clothes one often sees continental gentlemen wearing on

their holidays, and indeed, throughout his stay, he was to maintain diligently

the appearance of having come to Darlington Hall entirely for pleasure and

friendship.

 

As Mr Cardinal had indicated, M. Dupont had not arrived in a good temper; I

cannot recall now all the various things that had upset him since his arrival in

England a few days previously, but in particular he had obtained some painful