When a man is miserable, he is under sore temptation to hurt somebody--even some blameless individual, whose only crime is that he forms a minute (and involuntary) part of the world which is behaving so badly. Should a particularly vulnerable person chance to pass by, let him look out for himself! One connected, however remotely, with the cause of the misery, for instance. Misery is apt to see a foe everywhere--and to seek a companion. Just as Bob was passing Hyde Park Corner, he ran plump into Godfrey Ledstone, who came out from the Park at a quick walk. The street lamp revealed them to one another. Godfrey would have passed by with a nod and a 'How are you?' That was not at all Bob's idea. He was resolute in buttonholing his friend, in saying how long it was since they had met, in telling him about his doings in the meantime. He enjoyed Godfrey's uneasiness; for Godfrey set him down as a sympathizer with Winnie and was in fear of reference to the topic. Bob made the reference in his own good time. "Funny I should meet you!" he observed, with a strong draw at his cigar. "Is it? I don't know. I often take this walk." "Because I've just come from calling on Winnie." He eyed his prospective victim gloatingly. He was like a savage who thinks that he can unload some of his misfortune on to his neighbour by employing the appropriate ceremonies. "Oh, I--I hope she's all right?" "Seems blooming. I didn't have much talk with her, though. There was a chap dancing attendance--a Major somebody or other. Oh yes, Merriam--Major Merriam. He came in pretty soon, with a bouquet of flowers as big as your head. Seems that she and Mrs. Lenoir are off abroad to-morrow, and our friend the Major goes too. I don't think you need make yourself unhappy about Winnie, old chap." "Who is he? I never heard of him." "Well, I didn't suppose you and she were keeping up a correspondence! If you come to that, I should rather doubt if he ever heard of you." Bob smiled in a fashion less amiable than was his wont. "Well, I'm in a hurry. Good-bye, old man." "Walking my way?" He indicated Piccadilly and eastwards. It had been Godfrey's way home. "I've got to go to a shop in Sloane Street," said Godfrey. "Ta-ta then! It'll be a relief to you if she settles down all right, won't it?" Godfrey said nothing more than 'Good-bye.' But his face, as he said it, was very expressive; it quite satisfied Bob Purnett's impulse to hurt somebody. Godfrey Ledstone did not like Major Merriam any more than he himself did! The magical ceremony had worked; some of his misfortune was unloaded.