‘Yes, but nothing more. Nothing really serious at any time. So far he behaved frankly and well, for even at the outset of the affair he owned to--a what shall I call it?--an entanglement was, I believe, his own word--an entanglement in England--’ ‘Did he not state more of this entanglement, with whom it was, or how, or where?’ ‘I should think not. At all events, they who told me knew nothing of these details. They only knew, as he said, that he was in a certain sense tied up, and that till Fate unbound him he was a prisoner.’ ‘Poor fellow, it _was_ hard.’ ‘So _he_ said, and so _they_ believed him. Not that I myself believe he was ever seriously in love with the Irish girl.’ ‘And why not?’ ‘I may be wrong in my reading of him; but my impression is that he regards marriage as one of those solemn events which should contribute to a man’s worldly fortune. Now an Irish connection could scarcely be the road to this.’ ‘What an ungallant admission,’ said she, with a smile. ‘I hope Mr. Walpole is not of your mind.’ After a pause she said, ‘And how was it that in your intimacy he told you nothing of this?’ He shook his head in dissent. ‘Not even of the “entanglement”?’ ‘Not even of that. He would speak freely enough of his “egregious blunder,” as he called it, in quitting his career and coming to Ireland; that it was a gross mistake for any man to take up Irish politics as a line in life; that they were puzzles in the present and lead to nothing in the future, and, in fact, that he wished himself back again in Italy every day he lived.’ ‘Was there any “entanglement” there also?’ ‘I cannot say. On these he made me no confidences.’ ‘Coffee, my lady!’ said the butler, entering at this moment. Nor was Atlee grieved at the interruption. ‘I am enough of a Turk,’ said she laughingly, ‘to like that muddy, strong coffee they give you in the East, and where the very smallness of the cups suggests its strength. You, I know, are impatient for your cigarette, Mr. Atlee, and I am about to liberate you.’ While Atlee was muttering his assurances of how much he prized her presence, she broke in, ‘Besides, I promised my uncle a visit before tea-time, and as I shall not see you again, I will wish you now a pleasant journey and a safe return.’ ‘Wish me success in my expedition,’ said he eagerly. ‘Yes, I will wish that also. One word more. I am very short-sighted, as you may see, but you wear a ring of great beauty. May I look at it?’ ‘It is pretty, certainly. It was a present Walpole made me. I am not sure that there is not a story attached to it, though I don’t know it.’ ‘Perhaps it may be linked with the “entanglement,’” said she, laughing softly. ‘For aught I know, so it may. Do you admire it?’ ‘Immensely,’ said she, as she held it to the light. ‘You can add immensely to its value if you will,’ said he diffidently. ‘In what way?’ [Illustration: ‘You wear a ring of great beauty--may I look at it?’]