"O, by the way, that fellow Streightley,--I've heard you speak of him. Who is he, and what's all about him? What the deuce did old Guyon bring him here for? and why has he gone home with them to dinner?" "Ha, ha!" laughed Charles Yeldham. "'Beware, my lord, of jealousy!' Here's an Othello for you! I don't think, Gordon, you need look with much suspicion on Robert Streightley, unless you've fixed your affections on good investments or early information; and then you would stand no chance with him, I can tell you. But he's been too long engaged to Capel Court to waver in his allegiance." "But what on earth brought him here?" "What? Who? you should ask, and I would answer, your intended father-in-law. There's no man with a clearer head for business: what will be more explanatory, I will say there's no man better able to put a friend on to 'a good thing' than Streightley; and I fancy Mr. Guyon would not be above a little stagging if he could act on Streightley's information." "But people don't get City information or talk to each other on what you call 'stagging' topics at Botanical Fêtes. Why did he bring him here?" "O impetuous youth, 'still harping on my daughter!' don't you see that there must be a _quid pro quo_? If Mr. Streightley is to assist Mr. Guyon, why should not Mr. Guyon show Mr. Streightley the elevated position which he holds, the society in which he moves?" "Yes, that's all very well; but I say, Charley, Streightley don't know Mrs. Tresillian, does he?" "Who's Mrs. Tresillian?" "The wife of the member for Penmouth; people who live at Rutland Gate, and entertain perpetually. He's not likely to be going there to-night, this Streightley, is he?" "No more than he's likely to be going to Kamschatka; not so likely. Why?" "O, nothing; only Miss Guyon is going there--and so am I." "Is Miss Guyon going? Ah, well, I hope you'll enjoy yourself." And during their ride to chambers in the hansom, both men were singularly silent.