Their host looked up at the tone, and, bursting into a reckless, good-tempered laugh, said, turning round on one heel, "Egad, now I recollect! Burton, you fought shy of Tremenhere last time he was here, and shirked a meeting. Come, I'll be sworn you've quarrelled about some woman; you must oblige _me_, and make it up: this I intend to be a day of peace-making;" and he gave a peculiar look at Vellumy, who responded to it in an equally significant manner. All this by-play was unnoticed by Miles, who, in answer to Lord Randolph, said, "Your lordship is quite right; that gentleman and I have quarrelled about a woman, yet not quite as you suppose, possibly." "'Pon my life," answered their host more seriously, "I'm a thoughtless, forgetful fellow, or I ought to have called to mind, Burton, that when you and Tremenhere were down here together the other day, you quitted to avoid him. This should convince you, Tremenhere, that Burton bears no animosity towards you; come, oblige me: be friends, forget old grievances." "Animosity! and forgetfulness!" cried Tremenhere. Then, lowering his tone, he added coldly, "Lord Randolph, there are persons with whom estrangement is more consonant to our feelings than friendship; but his presence--I mean the presence of my worthy cousin----" "Cousin!" exclaimed their host and Vellumy in a breath. "I disclaim it!" cried Burton, trying to appear calm; "that is, except indirectly--left-handed." "Man!" said Tremenhere, energetically making an involuntary step towards him. The other two made a movement to prevent any collision; but Tremenhere stopped as Burton shrunk back. "I am a fool," he said, "to forget my noble part--patience. Pardon me, Lord Randolph; whilst I am in your house as guest, I will no more so offend--I will conduct myself as if such a person as that man had never existed. When I proclaim our relationship again, he shall tremble more than he does even now--look at him!" And, turning contemptuously away, he quietly interrupted an awkward apology which their host was commencing, by--"Has your lordship had good sport to-day? We artists lose these more wholesome pleasures, amidst our palettes and pencils."