SIX SHARP. 
47 
sharp;” and we were just being bowed out of tbe con- 
sulate, when a most gentlemanly-looking Englisbman of 
some fifty years entered, and was introduced to us as Mr. 
Eager. Tbe name of tbis gentleman seemed most ap- 
propriate ; for be took advantage of the first pause in 
tbe renewed conversation to ask us to dine with him 
at “ six sharp,” which caused us to smile as we told him 
of “six sharp” iN'o. 1, and begged him to accept it as 
our excuse. lie seemed quite disappointed at this, and 
begged us to let him have the q)leasurc of our company 
at the same hour on the following day; but there, also, 
thr ec of us were forced to disappoint liim, as our leave ex- 
pired at that time. The doctor, however, accepted witli 
pleasure,” and, after pointing out the most pleasant direc- 
tion for strolling, our polite accpiaintance took his leave. 
W e never subsequently met his equal : we hope to meet 
him again. 
Having nothing to do but hunt for what was to be seen, 
we followed the direction he had pointed out, and soon 
arrived at a stone gateway that opened into a most shady 
and picturesque walk. It proved to be some five hundred 
j^ards in length by about fifty feet in width, and was 
limited on either side by closel 3 '-planted oaks of gigantic 
proportions, the same apparently that had sheltered us 
on our ^yixy down. Had not the days of Aladdin’s lamp 
and ring been among those of the past, one might readily' 
have ima<rined this second avenue of noble trees to have 
been a section of that beautiful road that had been trans- 
planted for our express benefit. 
At the far-end of this walk wo found another gateway, 
which, like the first, was guarded day and night by ram- 
