"You have no small prejudices." "Not much. A girl like that, _plus_ an income like that, might steal all Northampton for what I care. Going upstairs?" "Yes; there's an 'At Home' on, isn't there?" "Yes, so I'm told. I shouldn't go, if I were you." "Why the devil not?" "Gerald's going to be there--told me so." "Really, Vane, you're very kind. We shan't fight." "I don't know about that. He's simply mad." "Anything new?" "Yes; he told me you'd been trying to square Mrs. Witt behind his back, and he meant to have it out with you." "Well," said George, "I won't run. Come along." The guests were already pouring in, and among the first George encountered was Mr. Dennis Espion, as over-strained as ever. Espion knew that George was aware of his position on the _Bull's-eye_. "Ah, how are you, Neston?" he said, holding out his hand. George looked at it for a moment, and then took it. "I support life and your kind attentions, Espion." "Ah! well, you know, we can't help it--a matter of public interest. I hope you see our position----" "Yes," said George, urbanely; "_Il faut vivre._" "I don't suppose you value our opinion, but----" "Oh yes; I value it at a penny--every evening." "I was going to say----" "Keep it, my dear fellow. What you say has market value--to the extent I have mentioned." "My dear Neston, may I----" "Consider this an interview? My dear Espion, certainly. Make any use of this communication you please. Good night." George strolled away. "Suppose I was rather rude," he said to himself. "But, hang it, I must have earned that fellow fifty pounds!" George was to earn Mr. Espion a little more yet, as it turned out. He had not gone many steps before he saw his cousin Gerald making his bow to Mrs. Pocklington. Mr. Espion saw him too, and was on the alert. Gerald was closely followed by Tommy Myles. "Ah, the enemy!" exclaimed George under his breath, pursuing his way towards Laura Pocklington. The throng was thick, and his progress slow. He had time to observe Gerald, who was now talking to Tommy and to Sidmouth Vane, who had joined them. Gerald was speaking low, but his gestures betrayed strong excitement. Suddenly he began to walk rapidly towards George, the people seeming to fall aside from his path. Tommy Myles followed him, while Vane all but ran to George and whispered eagerly, "For God's sake, clear out, my dear fellow! He's mad! There'll be a shindy, as sure as you're born!" George did not like shindies, especially in drawing-rooms; but he liked running away less. "Oh, let's wait and see," he replied. Gerald was looking dangerous. The healthy ruddiness of his cheek had darkened to a deep flush, his eyes looked vicious, and his mouth was set. As he walked quickly up to his cousin, everybody tried to look away; but out of the corners of two hundred eyes eager glances centred on the pair. "May I have a word with you?" Gerald began, calmly enough. "As many as you like; but I don't know that this place----"