Leah's first feeling was one of relief, and she was almost on the point of expressing gratitude, but a sudden remembrance that aid from the Duke meant the retention of Jim as a most undesirable husband, cooled the warm impulse. She recovered her self-command, and was about to go into figures, when Mrs. Penworthy with a noisy party bustled into the room, looking rather tousled and flushed. "We have been playing 'Hunt the Slipper,'" she announced, in her high, thin voice, "and Algy found mine three times." Lady Jim, annoyed at the irruption, glanced at Mrs. Penworthy's feet, which could scarcely have worn the slippers of Cinderella. "I can quite believe that," she said sweetly, and left the room smiling. "What does she mean?" asked Algy, obtusely. Mrs. Penworthy knew perfectly well what was meant, but was too feminine to explain, save in a way calculated to mislead her courtier. This could be done by arousing his egotism. "She means that you are clever to play the game so well," was her explanation. "I rather think Lady Jim admires you, Algy." The youth fondled what he called a moustache. "Rippin' woman, Lady Jim," said he, taking the speech literally. "Go and tell her so," snapped Mrs. Penworthy, colouring angrily. "You wouldn't like it." "Nothing would give me greater pleasure," remarked the lady, fervently hating him for his stupidity, "than to see her dancing on you, as she does on all men who are foolish enough to make themselves carpets." "I'm not a carpet." "No! You're a tame cat." "Then come and play Puss in the Corner," urged Algy, gaily, and Mrs. Penworthy consented, as this game had nothing to do with abnormal slippers. Leah, pleased at having snubbed Mrs. Penworthy, whom she considered quite an improper person, went to look for Jim in his room. He was there, sure enough, lying on the sofa with the novel tossed carelessly on the floor, and a black pipe between his lips. Evidently he had not heard the good news. "Jim," cried Leah, breathlessly, "the Duke will part." "He has parted," growled Jim, swinging his long legs on to the floor and producing a cheque. "Look at that." Lady Jim did. It was for two hundred pounds. "Oh!" She crushed it in her two hands, as though she were throttling his Grace. "What an insult!" CHAPTER VIII