AT A ROSE-SHOW 265 



amateur, proprietor of Marie Baumann ; something 

 about him, exhibitor thinks, not altogether pleasing ; 

 not a nice expression ; shouldn't say he was quite a 

 gentleman. 



At last the malignant timepiece, having tardily an- 

 nounced the meridian, with a minim-rest between the 

 notes, as though it were a passing bell tolled in 

 Lilliput, and having disputed every inch of the suc- 

 ceeding hour, is compelled to give up its match against 

 time, and the exhibitor hears the thrilling sound which 

 proclaims the Rose-show open. He gives his best hat 

 a final brush ; he adjusts for the last time the pretty 

 Rose in his coat (be still, throbbing heart beneath !) ; 

 and back he goes to his fate. He presents at the 

 door his exhibitor's pass ; and then ^ affecting to be 

 unaffected,' but nervous as a girl at her first ball, he 

 wends his anxious way to his Roses. 



What shall we find there — defeat or victory ? Shall 

 the music of the band express to his ears the gladness 

 of his spirit, the triumph of his hope, or shall 



* Sharp violins proclaim 

 Their jealous pangs and desperation' 



in unison with his own? Let him be prepared for 

 either issue. Let him anticipate defeat, as being but 

 a recruit and pupil ; but let him remember, when 

 defeated, that more than one great statesman has been 



