CHAPTER XV. 



AT A ROSE-SHOW. 



As the young knight in the olden time, having reached " y^ 

 place ordayned and appointed to trye y^ bittermoste by 

 stroke of battle," became naturally curious concerning his 

 adversaries, and, after caring for his horse and looking to 

 his armour, went forth to inspect the Flower of Chivalry, 

 and the lists, in which that flower would shortly form a bed 

 of " Love-lies-bleeding " — so the exhibitor, having finally 

 arranged his Roses, strolls through the glowing aisles of the 

 show. Soon experience will teach him to survey calmly, 

 and to gauge accurately, the forces of his foe ; but now he 

 but glances nervously, furtively, at the scene around him, 

 like a new boy at some public school. The sight brings 

 him hopes and fears. Now a hurried sidelong look shows 

 him flowers inferior to his own, and he is elate, happy. 

 Now an objectionably large Pierre Notting obtrudes itself 



