Lupin leaves us. We dine at his new apartments, and hear someextraordinary information respecting the wealth of Mr. Murray Posh. MeetMiss Lilian Posh. Am sent for by Mr. Hardfur Huttle. Important.

　　July 1. - I find, on looking over my diary, nothing of anyconsequence has taken place during the last month. To-day we loseLupin, who has taken furnished apartments at Bayswater, near his friends,Mr. and Mrs. Murray Posh, at two guineas a week. I think this is mostextravagant of him, as it is half his salary. Lupin says one never loses bya good address, and, to use his own expression, Brickfield Terrace is a bit"off." Whether he means it is "far off" I do not know. I have long sincegiven up trying to understand his curious expressions. I said theneighbourhood had always been good enough for his parents. His replywas: "It is no question of being good or bad. There is no money in it,and I am not going to rot away my life in the suburbs."We are sorry to lose him, but perhaps he will get on better by himself,and there may be some truth in his remark that an old and a young horsecan't pull together in the same cart.

　　Gowing called, and said that the house seemed quite peaceful, and likeold times. He liked Master Lupin very well, but he occasionally sufferedfrom what he could not help - youth.

　　July 2. - Cummings called, looked very pale, and said he had beenvery ill again, and of course not a single friend had been near him.

　　Carrie said she had never heard of it, whereupon he threw down a copy ofthe BICYCLE NEWS on the table, with the following paragraph: "Weregret to hear that that favourite old roadster, Mr. Cummings ('Long'

　　Cummings), has met with what might have been a serious accident in RyeLane. A mischievous boy threw a stick between the spokes of one of theback wheels, and the machine overturned, bringing our brother tricyclistheavily to the ground. Fortunately he was more frightened than hurt, butwe missed his merry face at the dinner at Chingford, where they turned up in good numbers. 'Long' Cummings' health was proposed by our popularVice, Mr. Westropp, the prince of bicyclists, who in his happiest vein saidit was a case of 'CUMMING(s) thro' the RYE, but fortunately there wasmore WHEEL than WOE,' a joke which created roars of laughter."We all said we were very sorry, and pressed Cummings to stay tosupper. Cummings said it was like old times being without Lupin, and hewas much better away.

　　July 3, Sunday. - In the afternoon, as I was looking out of the parlourwindow, which was open, a grand trap, driven by a lady, with a gentlemanseated by the side of her, stopped at our door. Not wishing to be seen, Iwithdrew my head very quickly, knocking the back of it violently againstthe sharp edge of the window-sash. I was nearly stunned. There was aloud double-knock at the front door; Carrie rushed out of the parlour,upstairs to her room, and I followed, as Carrie thought it was Mr. Perkupp.

　　I thought it was Mr. Franching. - I whispered to Sarah over the banisters:

　　"Show them into the drawing-room." Sarah said, as the shutters were notopened, the room would smell musty. There was another loud rat-tat. Iwhispered: "Then show them into the parlour, and say Mr. Pooter will bedown directly." I changed my coat, but could not see to do my hair, asCarrie was occupying the glass.

　　Sarah came up, and said it was Mrs. Murray Posh and Mr. Lupin.

　　This was quite a relief. I went down with Carrie, and Lupin met mewith the remark: "I say, what did you run away from the window for?

　　Did we frighten you?"I foolishly said: "What window?"Lupin said: "Oh, you know. Shut it. You looked as if you wereplaying at Punch and Judy."On Carrie asking if she could offer them anything, Lupin said: "Oh, Ithink Daisy will take on a cup of tea. I can do with a B. and S."I said: "I am afraid we have no soda."Lupin said: "Don't bother about that. You just trip out and hold thehorse; I don't think Sarah understands it."They stayed a very short time, and as they were leaving, Lupin said:

　　"I want you both to come and dine with me next Wednesday, and see my new place. Mr. and Mrs. Murray Posh, Miss Posh (Murray's sister) arecoming. Eight o'clock sharp. No one else."I said we did not pretend to be fashionable people, and would like thedinner earlier, as it made it so late before we got home.

　　Lupin said: "Rats! You must get used to it. If it comes to that,Daisy and I can drive you home."We promised to go; but I must say in my simple mind the familiar wayin which Mrs. Posh and Lupin addressed each other is reprehensible.

　　Anybody would think they had been children together. I certainly shouldobject to a six months' acquaintance calling MY wife "Carrie," and drivingout with her.

　　July 4. - Lupin's rooms looked very nice; but the dinner was, I thought,a little too grand, especially as he commenced with champagne straight off.

　　I also think Lupin might have told us that he and Mr. and Mrs. MurrayPosh and Miss Posh were going to put on full eveni............