Six months after this conversation, Mopsy read to Dopsy the announcement of Mr. Tregonell's marriage with the Cornish cousin. "We shall never see any more of him, you may depend," said Dopsy, with the air of pronouncing an elegy on the ingratitude of man. But she was wrong, for two years later Leonard Tregonell was knocking about town again, in the height of the season, with Poker Vandeleur, and the course of his diversions included a little dinner given to Dopsy and Mopsy at a choice Italian restaurateur's not very far from South Belgravia. They both made themselves as agreeable as in them lay. He was married. All matrimonial hopes in that quarter were blighted. But marriage need not prevent his giving them dinners and stalls for the play, or being a serviceable friend to their brother. "Poor Jack's friends are his only reliable income," said Mopsy. "He had need hold them fast." Mopsy put on her lively Madame Chaumont manner, and tried to amuse the Benedict. Dopsy was graver, and talked to him about his wife. "She must be very sweet," she said, "from Jack's account of her." "Why, he's never seen her," exclaimed Mr. Tregonell, looking puzzled. "No; but you showed him her photograph once in the Rockies. Jack never forgot it." Leonard was pleased at this tribute to his good taste. "She's the loveliest woman I ever saw, though she is my wife," he said; "and I'm not ashamed to say I think so." "How I should like to know her," sighed Dopsy; "but I'm afraid she seldom comes to London." "That makes no difference," answered Leonard, warmed into exceptional good humour by the soft influences of Italian cookery and Italian wines. "Why should not you both come to Mount Royal? I want Jack to come for the shooting. He can bring you, and you'll be able to amuse my wife, while he and I are out on the hills." "It would be quite too lovely, and we should like it of all things; but do you think Mrs. Tregonell would be able to get on with us?" asked Dopsy, diffidently. It was not often she and her sister were asked to country houses. They were both fluttered at the idea, and turned their thoughts inward for a mental review of their wardrobes. "We _could_ do it," decided Mopsy, "with a little help from Jack."