"No, you didn't mean to do anything of the sort, Luke Vine," said Mrs Van Heldre tartly; "I know you better than that. If I've asked you to come and have a bit of dinner with us like a Christian once I've asked you five hundred times, and one might just as well ask the hard rock." "Just as well, ma'am; just as well. There, I'm going. Take care of that money, Van. I shall think out a decent investment one of these days." "When you want it there it is," said Van Heldre quietly. "Hope it will be. And now look here: I want to know a little more about the Count." "The Count?" said Mrs Van Heldre. "My nephew, ma'am. And I hope you feel highly honoured at having so distinguished a personage in your husband's service." "What does he mean, dear?" "Mean, ma'am? Why, you know how his aunt has stuffed his head full of nonsense about French estates." "Oh! that, and the old title," cried Mrs Van Heldre. "There, don't say any more about it, for if there is anything that worries me, it's all that talk about French descents." "Why, hang it, ma'am, you don't think your husband is a Frenchman, and that my sister, who has made it all the study of her life, is wrong?" "I don't know and I don't care whether my husband's a Dutchman or a double Dutchman by birth; all I know is he's a very good husband to me and a good father to his child; and I thank God, Mr Luke Vine, every night that things are just as they are; so that's all I've got to say." "Tut--tut! tut--tut! This is all very dreadful, Van," said Uncle Luke, fastening his basket, and examining his old straw hat to see which was the best side to wear in front; "I can't stand any more of this. Here, do you want a bit of advice?" "Yes, if it's good." "Ah! I was forgetting: about the Count. Keep the curb tight and keep him in use." "I shall do both, Luke, for George's sake," said Van Heldre warmly. "Good, lad!--I mean, more fool you!" said Uncle Luke, stumping out after ignoring extended hands and giving each a nod. "That's all." He left the room, closing the door after him as loudly as he could without the shock being considered a bang; and directly after the front door was served in the same way, and they saw him pass the window. "Odd fish, Luke," said Van Heldre. "Odd! I sometimes think he's half mad." "Nonsense, my dear; no more mad than Hamlet. Here he is again." For the old man had come back, and was tapping the window-frame with his stick. "What's the matter?" said Van Heldre, throwing open the window, when Uncle Luke thrust in the basket he carried and his stick, resting his arms on the window-sill. "Don't keep that piece of conger in this hot room all the morning," he said, pointing with his stick. "Why, goodness me, Luke Vine, how can you talk like that?" cried Mrs Van Heldre indignantly. "Easy enough, ma'am. Forgot my bit of advice," said Uncle Luke, speaking to his old friend, but talking at Mrs Van Heldre. "What is it?"