_Spurrell_ (_eagerly_). But you wired me to come, sir! About a horse of yours! I've been wondering all the evening when you'd tell me I could go round and have a look at him. I'm here instead of Mr. Spavin--_now_ do you understand, Sir Rupert? I'm the vet. [_Suppressed sensation._ _Sir Rupert_ (_to himself_). This is devilish awkward! Don't quite know what to do. (_Aloud._) To--to be sure you are! Of course! That's it, Rohesia! Mr. Spurrell came down to see a horse, and we shall be very glad to have the benefit of his opinion by and bye. [_He claps him amicably on the shoulder._ _Lady Cantire_ (_in a sepulchral tone_). Albinia, I think I will go to bed. [_She withdraws._ [Illustration: "ALBINIA, I THINK I WILL GO TO BED."] _Sir Rupert_ (_to himself_). There'll be no harm in letting him stay, now he _is_ here. If Rohesia objects, she's got nobody but herself to blame for it! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). They won't want to keep me upstairs much longer after this! (TREDWELL _enters, and seems to have something of importance to communicate to_ Sir RUPERT _in private_.) I wonder what the dooce is up _now_! [_Partial reaction in company._ PART XIX UNEARNED INCREMENT _Sir Rupert_ (_to_ TREDWELL). Well, what is it? _Tredwell_ (_in an undertone_). With reference to the party, Sir Rupert, as represents himself to have come down to see the 'orse, I---- _Sir Rupert_ (_aloud_). You mean Mr. Spurrell? It's all right. Mr. Spurrell will see the horse to-morrow. (TREDWELL _disguises his utter bewilderment_.) By the way, we expected a Mr. ---- What did you say the name was, my dear?... Undershell? To be sure, a Mr. Undershell, to have been here in time for dinner. Do you know why he has been unable to come before this? _Tredwell_ (_to himself_). Do I know? Oh, Lor! (_Aloud._) I--I believe he _have_ arrived, Sir Rupert. _Sir Rupert._ So I understand from Mr. Spurrell. Is he here still? _Tredwell._ He is, Sir Rupert. I--I considered it my dooty not to allow him to leave the house, not feeling---- _Sir Rupert._ Quite right, Tredwell. I should have been most seriously annoyed if I had found that a guest we were all anxiously expecting had left the Court, owing to some fancied---- Where is he now? _Tredwell_ (_faintly_). In--in the Verney Chamber. Leastways---- _Sir Rupert._ Ah. (_He glances at_ SPURRELL.) Then where----? But that can be arranged. Go up and explain to Mr. Undershell that we have only this moment heard of his arrival; say we understand that he has been obliged to come by a later train, and that we shall be delighted to see him, just as he is. _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). He was worth looking at just as he _was_, when _I_ saw him! _Pilliner_ (_to himself_). By a later train? Then, how the deuce did his clothes----? Oh, well, however it was, it don't concern _me_.