‘Did you lose much to-day, Ilfracombe? I am sure you lost, or you would have told me the amount of your winnings. But was it _very_ much?’ ‘I was pretty hard hit over “The Cardinal,”’ he answered; ‘but nothing to howl over.’ ‘Why did you take Mr Portland’s advice?’ she said. ‘He always makes you lose.’ ‘Not at all,’ replied her husband; ‘Jack is the best adviser I have. Everyone must lose at times. It’s absurd to suppose you can always win.’ ‘Then why doesn’t he lose also?’ said Nora boldly. ‘Why doesn’t he give you the same advice he follows himself?’ ‘My darling child, you know nothing of such matters, and I don’t want you to do so. They concern men only. And look here, Nora--I don’t want to say anything unkind; but I would rather you did not interfere with my winnings or my losings. They are essentially my own affair. Trust me to take care of myself. And now, if you are ready, we had better go.’ After which Nora was sharp enough to see that she would only make a bad matter worse by attempting to set Ilfracombe against Jack Portland, and that her only plan was to watch and wait, until the time came when she might be able to influence her husband openly. He loved her, but he was too easily led by a stronger mind than his own, and he was too loyal to believe that his intimate friend, who shared all his good things at his pleasure, could plot to aggrandise himself at his expense. She had brought it on herself, Nora said inwardly, and she must bear the penalty as best she might. A few days after the Derby, Sir Archibald and Lady Bowmant called upon her, and she returned their visit. She thought Lady Bowmant very clever and amusing, but she little dreamt the acquaintanceship would lead to a close and sudden intimacy. She was astonished, therefore, one morning, by her husband telling her that he had met the baronet at his club the night before, and that he had extended a most cordial invitation for them to go down to Usk Hall during the time that Jack Portland was to be there. ‘To Usk Hall?’ said Nora, with surprise. ‘But, Ilfracombe, we do not know the Bowmants sufficiently well to go and stay with them. I have only seen her three times in all.’ ‘What does that signify?’ replied her husband. ‘They’re awfully jolly people; you said so yourself, and Jack says they keep it up royally at Usk Hall. The Prince of Huhm-Hessetal is to be there, and no end of nice people. You’ll receive a proper invitation from Lady Bowmant to-morrow or next day, and I see no reason why we should not accept it.’ ‘I thought you had agreed to join your mother’s party at Wiesbaden,’ said the countess dubiously.