CHAPTER IX
“ My dear Mr. Meredith,
“ I cannot tell you how unhappy and humiliated I feel that my
little joke with you should have had such an uncomfortable
ending. As you know, and as I have given you proof, I have
the greatest admiration in the world for one whose work for
humanity has won such universal recognition.
“ I hope that we shall both forget this unhappy morning and
that you will give me an opportunity of rendering to you in
person, the apologies which are due to you. I feel that
anything less will neither rehabilitate me in your esteem,
nor secure for me the remnants of my shattered self-respect.
“ I am hoping you will dine with me next week and meet a most
interesting man, George Gathercole, who has just returned
from Patagonia,—I only received his lette
