Varney, to show himself how cool he was, was lighting a cigarette, and had just perceived with annoyance that his hand shook. "At least," he answered easily, "no man will ever disprove that, since no man has ever had the pleasure of being present when women are alone together. I can recommend the Invincibles, Hare." Peter, as one sensitive to the duties of host, now begged Mrs. Marne to let him show her something of the yacht. He mentioned the crew's quarters and the--er--butler's pantry as points which he particularly desired to bring to her attention. "I'd _love_ to see them! Oh--I must take just one peep before I fly." The trio started forward in a whirl of her animated talk, Peter leading with a dutiful face, Hare strutting solemnly along in the rear. Mary glanced at Varney. "Aren't you going to show me your butler's pantry, too?" "Rather!" he said, starting with her up the deck. "But I want you to see the whole ship, you know, much more thoroughly than Mrs. Marne has time for--and to take a little spin--" He was interrupted by an exaggerated cry from the lady last mentioned, who, happening to glance down at her watch, had stopped short at the cabin-hatch in great dismay. Now she turned back to Varney crying: "Oh! oh! Mr. Varney, it's _twenty minutes to four_! I must fly to my Culture _this instant_!" At that, for Varney, the little party lost the last traces of its false good-fellowship and stood out for what it was. Mrs. Marne's hurried departure slightly dislocated his carefully-laid plans; it was evident that her brother had no intention of going with her. Over her unconscious head, his eye caught Peter's in a faint sweep which indicated the little candidate. "Oh--must you, Mrs. Marne?" said Varney, with civil regret. "I _must_! I wish--oh, how I wish!--that culture had never been invented. The world lasted a long time without it, I'm sure. I detest to eat and run, yet what else can possibly be done by the author of '_Ideals of Immanuel Kant_'?" "It is too bad," said Varney, "but if duty really calls, I suppose there is nothing for it but to have your boat ready at once." "I ought to go, too," said Mary. A chorus of protests annihilated the thought. Mrs. Marne declared that she would never, no, never, forgive herself if she broke up so delightful a party. It was unanimously decided that the other guests were to remain long enough to be shown something of the yacht. Mention of a little spin down the river was once more casually thrown out. Events moved swiftly. The gig was manned, waiting. Varney under cover of issuing orders, found opportunity to say a hurried word to Peter. Mrs. Marne approached Mary, who was discussing yachts with Hare, to make adieu. Suddenly the large face of Maginnis loomed over her shoulder. "Good-bye, Miss Carstairs--you'll excuse me, won't you?" said he, briefly. "I--I thought perhaps I'd just walk in with Mrs. Marne."