"What you say about my making a career, and all that," continued the newly awakened Timothy--"well, there is something in it, you know! By Gad, there's something in it! I rather see myself in Parliament, letting some of those chaps have it in the neck! Wow-wow!" He bubbled enthusiastically: already, with the simple fervour of the hereditary ruling class, he felt himself at grips with the enemies of the State. "And I am sure you are right, too, about my not tying myself down to an early marriage. I consider it a jolly sporting and unselfish view for you to take. Still, I must not allow you to suffer." He laid his hand upon Peggy's arm. "Look here, Peggy, if I come to you in five years from now and ask you to marry me--will you?" "Yes," said Peggy. "Cheers!" "On one condition." "And that is--" "That neither of us has married any one else in the meanwhile," concluded Peggy sedately. Timothy laughed loudly at this flight of fancy. "You can set your mind at rest on that point, Peggy," he said. "I will stick to you." He was a single-minded egoist, was young Timothy. "Then it's a deal?" Peggy, knowing well what was coming, nodded. Timothy bent over her. "I think we might signify our assent in the usual manner--eh?" he suggested. "We agreed upon five years--not five seconds!" said Peggy, laughingly releasing her hand. She stepped out of the chair and stood up. "Now, Tim, you trot off to the ball again; it's not much after three. Philip will take me home: he is out getting a cab now. You go and perform a similar service for Babs Duncombe." "Oh, I say, come!" observed Timothy scornfully. "Babs Duncombe!" "Why not? She is a very nice, pretty girl, and her father is a very influential man. Remember, Tim, you have got to spend the next five years getting to know influential people. Begin on Babs. If you hurry up, you may be able to catch her for an extra or two." Already the pliable Timothy was putting on his coat. "You are right, Peggy," he said. "You are always right. I believe you know what is best for me better than I do myself." Peggy, surveying him indulgently, mentally allotted to him a maximum of six further months in the single state. "I shouldn't be surprised," she said. "Good-night, Tim!" "Good-night, Peggy. You are quite sure about--well, perhaps you're right. Hallo, Theophilus, old son! Got back?" "Yes," said Philip, putting down his hat. "It's lucky I caught you. I can't find a cab high or low. You had better take Peggy home in yours." "Tim is going back to the ball, Philip," interposed Peggy. "He has one or two duty dances to work off. I will share his cab as far as the Freeborns' and take it on home. I shall be quite safe." "Well, hurry up, Peggy," said Timothy, now ready for the road. "I should look a bit of a mug if I got there and found the place shut--what, what? Good-night, Philip, my lad. Don't sit up for me. Half a minute, Peggy! I think I had better have a fresh pair of gloves."