“I told you I was in a stockbroker’s office.” “Yes, but you never told me he was my cousin, and that you are also a cousin.” “I always leave the Gascoynes to find me out themselves. You see, my mother was a Gascoyne, and she was left to keep lodgings in Clapham.” He looked at me kindly. “You don’t feel bitter?” “Oh dear no, only it isn’t a great encouragement to push myself forward, is it?” “He tells me that there is another cousin of mine staying with him and his wife. He describes her as beautiful. What do you think?” “I agree. I knew her brother.” “Poor Harry Gascoyne. Killed by a fall from his horse, wasn’t he?” “Horse kicked him.” “Strange, must have been a brute.” I talked to him as he undressed. He was inquisitive about the South Kensington household. “Hardly know Gascoyne Gascoyne myself. Always heard he married badly.” “He married very well, only her father happened to be a linen-draper.” “Good heavens, that’s nothing in our days. Lord Southwick’s father-in-law was a grocer, and a very distinguished old gentleman, too. A damned sight better bred than ever the Southwicks were. They all look like stable-boys. Sort of family in which you’d think the women had been going wrong with the grooms for generations. Southwick married groceries and manners at the same time.” “Mrs. Gascoyne is a very charming woman.” “My dear fellow, I can quite believe it. A man like Gascoyne Gascoyne does not retain his polish undimmed if he has been living for years with a woman who isn’t a lady at heart.” “I don’t think Miss Gascoyne would be devoted to anyone who was capable of offending the canons of good taste.” “They are great friends?” “I should think so.” “Well, when I am married we must have a nice family party. Don’t mind my getting into bed. You can let yourself out, can’t you?” “Easily.” I stood and talked to him while I put on my coat, and then I said good-night. “Oh, do you mind shutting my bedroom door, the woman makes such a beastly row doing it if it’s left till the morning.” “Good-night.” “Good-night. Mind you come to my wedding.” I shut the bedroom door. I was in the outer room alone. I went to the door, and going outside shut it. Then I ran downstairs, opened the front door and banged it, leaving myself inside. I sat down on the stairs and waited. After a while I stole upstairs again. The darkened room with the firelight playing over it looked very comfortable. I gently took the glass off the reading-lamp, and, unscrewing the burner, poured the contents over the foot of the curtains near which was the only wicker chair in the room. I had to close the old-fashioned shutters so as to screen the room from any policeman on his beat as long as possible. One of my original ideas had been to put a large piece of coal on the fire and lower the register, leaving the room to fill with smoke.