Vespaluus, and the idolatrous grove was gradually pruned and
lopped away till nothing remained of it. But the sacred and
esteemed serpents were removed to a private shrubbery in the royal
gardens, where Vespaluus the Pagan and certain members of his
household devoutly and decently worshipped them. That possibly is
the reason why the boy-king's success in sports and hunting never
deserted him to the end of his days, and that is also the reason
why, in spite of the popular veneration for his sanctity, he never
received official canonization."
"It has stopped raining," said the Baroness.
THE WAY TO THE DAIRY
The Baroness and Clovis sat in a much-frequented corner of the
Park exchanging biographical confidences about the long succession
of passers-by.
"Who are those depressed-looking young women who have just gone
by?" asked the Baroness; "they have the air of people who have
bowed to destiny and are not quite sure whether the salute will be
returned."
"Those," said Clovis, "are the Brimley Bomefields. I dare say you
would look depressed if you had been through their experiences."
"I'm always having depressing experiences;" said the Baroness, "
but I never give them outward expression.
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