"By my halidom," he exclaimed, highly gratified, "that was well spoken! Yet it cannot be. I thank you, ladies and gentles all, for your courtly hospitality; but, as the bard observes: ’I _must_ get home to-night!’" (Here he broke into song, and indulged in what are known in theatrical circles as "a few steps.") "The club has an important run billed for to-morrow, and if little Percy is missing, there will be enquiries. Still, rather than disoblige, I’ll split the difference. I will drain a stirrup-cup of foaming Bass with ye ere I depart. Then, forward across the drawbridge! Yoicks! Likewise Tally Ho! Which way, fair sir," concluded this high-spirited youth, turning to his host, "to the Saloon Bar?" "Percy," remarked Dicky hurriedly, "you are immense! You ought to go on the Halls. Come along! This way!" "I have bin approached, mind you," began the comedian, taking Dicky’s arm, "but!" "Are you coming too, Tilly?" asked Dicky, looking back. Tilly, who had been apprehensively regarding the flinty countenances of her future relatives-in-law, assented hurriedly and gratefully. "Yes, please," she said. "I will come and see Percy off." She took Dicky’s free arm. "’T is meet and fitting," observed the ebullient Percy. "We will drain a tankard jointly. Right away! Pip, pip! Good-morrow, knights and ladies all!" The trio disappeared into the dining-room, leaving a most uncanny silence behind them! Mr. Mainwaring hastily picked up the evening paper and enshrouded himself in its folds. Lady Adela feebly signalled to Sylvia for the smelling-salts. "A perfectly _appalling_ young man!" she announced. "And a perfectly sweet little girl!" quoth loyal Connie. CHAPTER XV A DAY OF CALM REFLECTION I At half-past eight next morning Connie Carmyle, wearing a tweed coat and skirt and neat brown brogues, came whistling downstairs, intent upon a constitutional before breakfast. Upon the sofa in front of the hall-fire, self-consciously perusing a Sunday newspaper, sat a large man of slightly sheepish appearance. At the sight of Connie he rose guiltily to his feet. Mrs. Carmyle embraced him in a motherly fashion. "And may I ask what you are doing here, my man?" she enquired. "Finished things off last night after all," replied her husband; "so thought I might as well run down this morning and spend the day." "Why?" asked Mrs. Carmyle wonderingly. She knew perfectly well; but being a woman and the possessor of an undemonstrative husband, it pleased her to spur him into making an exhibition of himself. "Thought I should like a rest," said Mr. Carmyle gruffly. "Had a pretty tough week," he added, in a pusillanimous attempt to excite compassion. "Is that the only reason?" persisted his heartless spouse. "Having a wife, thought I might as well come and see her for an hour or two," conceded Carmyle grudgingly.