'Charming women,' said Mr Tupman.

'Wait a minute,' said the stranger, 'there's more fun presently. Nobs not come yet - queer place, this town. The dockyard people of upper rank don't know dockyard people of lower rank - dockyard people of lower rank don't know small gentry - small gentry don't know tradespeople - commissioner don't know anybody.'

'Who's that little boy with the light hair and pink eyes, in fancy dress?'inquired Mr Tupman.

'Hush, pray. Pink eyes - fancy dress - little boy. Nonsense - that's an ensign of the 97th - Honourable Wilmot Snipe. A great family the Snipes - very.'

'Sir Thomas Clubber, Lady Clubber, and the Misses Clubber!' shouted the man at the door in a stentorian voice. A great sensation was created throughout the room by the entrance of a tall gentleman in a blue coat and bright buttons, a large lady in blue satin, and two young ladies, on a similar scale, in fashionably-made dresses of the same hue.