The girl stepped forward, took both of his hands in hers, and shook them warmly. “All congratulations,” she said. “I’ve only just heard. May I call you ‘Sir Theodore’ in advance?” Shelf let the book slide to the floor, and sat up staring first at one and then the other. “I am much obliged to you, Amy dear,” he said at last; “but, upon my word, I don’t know what you mean.” “It’s out!” she said. “Everybody was talking about it to-night. You’ll be gazetted in the next Birthday List. And not a trumpery knighthood, either. You’re to be a full-blown baronet—no less.” Theodore Shelf lay back in his chair with a very queer expression on his face. He put his white fingers together under his chin, and stared curiously at his wife. “Your doing, I suppose, Laura?” “You may thank me for it entirely,” she replied with a smiling bow. “I arranged for it here with the Minister; and at the two places where we looked in at afterwards, I told the news to three of my dearest friends in the very strictest of confidence. Consequently, it is all over London to-night, and will be in all the papers in England to-morrow. Would you like to congratulate me?” “I’ll wait,” said the shipowner, “till I see you Lady Shelf. The title is not formally given over for a fortnight, and between now and then so much may happen. Man is but a frail creature.” “Oh, for goodness’ sake,” said Mrs. Shelf, disgustedly, “don’t cant now. When you are Sir Theodore I can’t have you disgracing me by preaching and holding forth to those low people you used to know. You must cut all that connection. Good heavens, Theodore, you can’t like it! And there’s really no more to be got out of that sort of thing. You’ve used those dreary, goody-goody folks, and made your fortune out of them, and let that suffice. Now, if you want to get on further, you’ve got to pick up with another set. Don’t you understand?” For reply Theodore Shelf burst into a sudden wild cackle of laughter.