Jack Shore rarely allowed his naturally aggressive and buoyant spirits to remain for long depressed by a gloomy retrospect; but the purpose of his prolonged stare at vacancy on this occasion was attributable to the necessity of another visit to Mr. Loan-on-personal-property. His reverie was ended by the abrupt entry of his companion, Philip Rutley, who drawled out in quiet tones: "Jack--Aw--I beg pardon. I see you are engaged." Jack looked at his visitor, noted his dignified bearing and unwonted coolness as he removed his gloves; noted the smile of cunning pleasure that played about his mouth and, from experience, concluded that some deep scheme had been thought out and a line of action forming. "Well, Phil," he replied, "what game is on now?" "A well dressed lady and gentleman, strangers," began Phil, "halted me on Market Street and addressed me as 'My Lord Beauchamp.' They warmly shook my hand and gushingly insisted that I promise them the pleasure of presenting our very dear friends,--Mr. and Mrs. Orthodox--to Lord Beauchamp at the Palace tonight." "Of course, you consented!" quietly laughed Jack. "Ahem! Unfortunately I had instructed my secretary to 'clear' the yacht for the north this evening, and as all arrangements were complete, must beg, with profound regrets" (and he bent low with courtly grace) "to decline the pleasure. Should you be visiting England next summer, my cordial invitation to rest a month or so at--a--Beauchamp, Isle of Wight." "And you--" "Beckoned a passing cab; bade them 'adieu' and drove on a few blocks." "I congratulate you on your iron-clad nerve," laughingly remarked Jack. "And you withdrew with your new title,--a--me Lord Beauchamp, sitting jauntily, like a chip on your shoulder,--undisturbed." "How could I do otherwise? You know I am opposed to shocks, but seriously, Jack, the incident has suggested a way out of our embarrassment." "How?" "By carrying the thing on and be a lord in fact, with you as my secretary." Jack laughed, low and yet with a heartiness that was rollicking in its abandon, and then added by way of parenthesis: "I shall announce 'Your Grace's' intention to visit Portland." "Precisely! You are well aware of the great esteem in which Me Lord Beauchamp is likely to be held there, particularly by our friends, The Thorpes, Harrises, et al." "A proper entry will create quite a stir among the fashionable set," remarked Jack reflectively. "And give us opportunities to 'work' them some." "Are you agreed?" "Yes," responded Jack. "It will be a damn good joke, anyway," and again he laughed, for as the horn of plenty flitted before his vision his spirits soared once more, above the measly depths of want and anxiety. "As an American," he continued, "you have as much right to play the role of Lord, General or Judge as any other name by which your friends may be pleased to 'dub' you." CHAPTER I.