CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across 1. Issuing an invitation in the capacity of ruler (6)

8. House of misfortune in Virginia (5) 9. Arrive holding favourite to take part in contest (7)

11. Finishing aloft? (6,2)

12. Note a girl, one to reflect one's image? (5)

15. Notorious fiddler would only half need backing of gold (4)

16. What's more, it's what 'e extends in welcome (3)

17. Feature of building one might walk through if roguish (4)

19. The fuss the Senior Service takes to add embellishment (5)

21. Copper repeatedly will only halfremember to be cool (8)

24. Pearl-fishers, going East? That's different! (7)

25. A swimmer with tank-top and trouserbottom being dismissed (5)

26. Me, rude? Could be so maidenly! (6)

▶ Down

2. Spare the rod, perhaps, quietly sunk in the ground (5)

3. I am to mail the gold, not being the one I pretend to be (8)

4. Match attendants get a sort-out (4) 5. One could make one a Valentine, maybe, but what's the use? (5)

6. One may, with drooping spirits – but it has its day! (4)

7. Niggle when criticising a swimmer (4)

10. Got all wound up with net perhaps as one fished (9)

12. Summons at mealtime going to lose heart? (4)

13. See a waking vision of Mary, dead somehow (8)

14. Take no notice of call to attention? (4) 18. It appears in a sort of endless mess to deliver a blow (5)

20. One starting from sleep at ninety degrees to the tread? (5)

21. Lying situations of company on backstreet (4)

22. Put on the ring to fiddle the books? (4) 23. Skin at home, in a way (4)