"At first sight Violet--the insinuating one--would account for the phenomena. Or Norah's eyes and lashes? Yet I hesitate. Woman, of course, it is, with both of them. Violet might make men pleased with themselves; Norah could make them merry and happy. Yet these two are not so much pleased with themselves--rather they are pleased with events; they are not merry--they are thoughtful. And I think they are resentful. I believe the hostile squadron has weighed anchor. In these great results, achieved so quickly, demanding on my part such an effort in reply, I see the Marchesa's touch! I have my own opinion as to what has happened to Roger and to Cromlech. Well, we shall see--to-morrow is the cricket match!" "_Later._ I had closed this record; I was preparing to go to bed (wishing to bathe early to-morrow) when I found that I had forgotten to bring up my book. Coltson had gone to bed--or out--anyhow, away. I went down myself. The library door stood ajar; I had on my slippers; a light burned still; Cromlech and Roger were up. As I approached--with an involuntary noiselessness (I really couldn't be expected to think of coughing, in my own house and with no ladies about)--I overheard this remarkable, most significant, most important conversation: "_Cromlech_: 'On my soul, there were tears in her eyes!' "_Roger_: 'Stabb, can we as gentlemen--?' "Then, as I presume, the shuffle of my slippers became audible. I went in; both drank whisky-and-soda in a hurried fashion. I took my book from the table. Naught said I. Their confusion was obvious. I cast on them one of my looks; Roger blushed, Stabb shuffled his feet. I left them. "'Tears in her eyes!' 'Can we as gentlemen?' "The Marchesa moves slowly, but she moves in force!" It is unnecessary to pursue the diary further; for his lordship--forgetful apparently of the borne of bed, to which he had originally destined himself--launches into a variety of speculations as to the Nature of Love. Among other questions, he puts to himself the following concerning Love: (1) Is it Inevitable? (2) Is it Agreeable? (3) Is it Universal? (4) Is it Wise? (5) Is it Remunerative? (6) Is it Momentary? (7) Is it Sempiternal? (8) Is it Voluntary? (9) Is it Conditioned? (10) Is it Remediable? (11) Is it Religious? (There's a note here--"Consult Cromlech")--(12) May it be expected to survive the Advance of Civilization? (13) Why does it exist at all? (14) Is it Ridiculous? It is not to be inferred that Lord Lynborough answers these questions. He is, like a wise man, content to propound them. If, however, he had answered them, it might have been worth while to transcribe the diary. "Can we as gentlemen--?"--Roger had put the question. It waited unanswered till Lynborough had taken his book and returned to record its utterance--together with the speculations to which that utterance gave rise. Stabb weighed it carefully, rubbing his bald head, according to the habit which his friend had animadverted upon.