Trellis House. For two years he had been at
"Robey's," the Army coaching establishment which
was, in a minor degree, one of the glories of Witanbury,
and which consisted of a group of beautiful
old Georgian houses spreading across the whole of
one of the wide corners of the Close.

Some of the inhabitants of the Close resented the
fact of "Robey's." But Mr. Robey was the son of
a former Bishop of Witanbury, the Bishop who had
followed Miss Forsyth's father.

Bishop Robey had had twin sons, who, unlike most
twins, were very different. The elder, whom some of
the oldest inhabitants remembered as an ugly, eccentric
little boy, with a taste for cutting up dead animals,
had insisted on becoming a surgeon. To the surprise
of his father's old friends, he had made a considerable
reputation, which had been, so to speak, officially
certified with a knighthood. The professional life
of a great surgeon is limited, and Sir Jacques Robey,
though not much over fifty and still a bachelor, had
now retired.

The younger twin, Orlando, was the Army coach.
He had been, even as a little boy, a great contrast to
his brother, being both good looking and anything
but eccentric. The brothers were only alike in the
success they had achieved in their several professions,
but they had for one another in full measure that
curiously understanding sympathy and affection which
seem to be the special privilege of twins.

Mr. Robey was popular and respected, and those
dwellers in the Close who had daughters were pleased
with the life and animation which the presence of so
many young men gave to the place. The more

[[55]]

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v?