Last  summer,  however,  we  grieve  to  add — for  we  have
a  share  in  it  on  the  sly — the  Tui-tle  Doves  had  not  its
fair  share  of  company.  Whether  this  was  owing  to
undue  and,  perhaps,  unfair  competition,  or  to  the
Boniface  castigation  by  the  Times  or  to  whim,  or  to
fashion,  or  to  caprice,  we  know  not ;  but  such  was  the
case,  as  we  know  to  ovir  cost.  That  it  was  not  owing  to
any  falling-off  in  the  management  of  the  hotel  we  are  in
a  condition  to  speak ;  for  we  were  there  the  greater  part
of  the  autumn,  and  never  saw  better  management,
better  cookery,  better  wine,  better  beer,  better  tea,
better  butter,  better  anything,  or  a  more  beautiful]
Bloomer;  and,  des))ite  what  the  Times  may  say  as  toj
hotels  generally,  the  charges  were  by  no  means  ex-
orbitant. Not,  of  course,  that  we  paid  anything,  but  we  j
saw  and  helped  to  inflame  the  bills  of  those  who  did.
That,  however,  is  not  the  point,  and  is  only  thrown  in  by  I


WILLIAM   THE   CONQUEROR;   OR,   THE   A.D.C.        571

way  of  giving  the  house  a  lift.     Our  business  is  with  a
guest.
It  was  just  as  the  spring  was  setting  in  with  its  usual
serenity  that  the  di-ooping  spirits  of  the  Bloumer  were
cheered  by  the  arrival  of  three  portentous-looking
lettei-s,  headed,

"  On  Her  Majesty's  Service,"

and  addressed —

"To  William  Heveland,  Esq.,  A.D.C,  &c.,&c.,&c.,
"  Turtle  Doves  Hotel,

"  Hundley  Cross  Spa."

"  My  wor — rod ! "  exclaimed  the  Bloomer,  clutching
them,  and  admii-ing  the  great  seals — the  royal  arms;
and  then  turning  to  the  directions — '"  my  woi — rod,"
repeated  she,  "  but  tliis  is  something  like,"  reading —

" '  On  Her  Majesty's  Service.
