'There is a huge mess on the staircase, waiter,' said the stranger. 'There's things going up and carpenters coming down - lamps, glasses, and musical instruments. What's going on?'

'It's a ball, Sir,' said the waiter. A ball for charity, Sir.'

'Are there many good-looking women in this town, do you know?' asked Mr Tupman, with great interest.

'They are splendid. This is Kent, sir - everybody knows Kent - its apples, cherries, beer, and women. Would you like a glass of wine, Sir?'

'With great pleasure,' replied Mr Tupman. The stranger filled his own glass too and immediately drank it.

'I should very much like to go,' said Mr Tupman, returning to the subject of the ball. 'Very much.'

'Tickets are on sale at the bar, Sir,' the waiter told him; 'they cost half-a-guinea each.'