50 NO FISH FOR DINNER. 



expert fishermen had failed to raise a single trout 

 from the stream. A large party was expected at 

 dinner that evening, and our tutor, one of the most 

 scientific anglers of his time, having promised her 

 ladyship, the previous day, a splendid dish of trout 

 for the occasion, commenced whipping the waters 

 of the Kennet (which, running close by the house, 

 fonned a fine lake in its front) from an early hour 

 in the morning until three o'clock in the after- 

 noon without success, for not one fish could he 

 catch ; the weather was too hot, the wind too still, 

 the water too clear. He gave it up in despair, 

 writing a letter to her ladyship expressive of his 

 deep disappointment. 



We were in the room when the letter arrived. 



*' What am I to do ?" exclaimed Lady Burdett, 

 " with this large party and without any fish ! 

 Mr. Meyrick has failed to take any, and depend- 

 ing on his skill, I did not send to the neighbouring 

 town." 



" Pray do not give yourself a moment's un- 

 easiness on this account," I replied; " we will 

 furnish your table with trout sufficient, even were 

 your expected guests Catholics, and this their fast- 

 day, to dine on fish alone." 



" But how," she asked, " are you boys to effect 

 this, when your master has so signally failed ?" 



