Page:Cuthbert Bede--Little Mr Bouncer and Tales of College Life.djvu/250

230 her. It would certainly be awkward if the Old Boy got to Oxford first, and found out my absence. I know that he would keep his word about me, and I should be cast into the den of Duns. I should have no money—Fanny would only have her father's blessing; and our marriage would be out of the question. Yet I think I shall have time to call in the Crescent. I know the Old Boy's habits well enough to make me feel sure that he 'll go and pay his bill at Morley's before he sets out for Oxford. This will delay him some time; so I can easily spare a few minutes for Fanny, and reach Oxford by an earlier train than the Old Boy. I 'll risk it. As I 'm an æger man, I can't do better than pay a visit to the doctor who will do me the most good."

So rapid is the process of thought, that, to arrive at the above decision was a far quicker thing in the performance than it is in the telling; and Percie had jumped into a Hansom, and been whirled to Wilton Crescent, before Mr. Wylde, senior, had reached St. James's Street.

A thundering knock and a rallying ring evoked a canary-coloured being, who, although six feet in his stockings, and blessed with undeniable whiskers, was yet affable and benignant. This condescending gentleman knew Percie well, and had, indeed, been moved to extreme affability by sundry and repeated tips administered to him by Percie, both in town, and also at his (or, at least, his master's—which was the same thing) country-seat in Shropshire. In consequence of this monetary relation that existed between them, the affable Canary looked with the eyes of encouragement upon the amatory passion displayed by Mr. Percival Wylde for Miss Fanny Douglas, and fostered it in a variety of