"Leave England!" said Sir Charles. "Why, you've only just come back. You're only just--All right; we're coming!" This last in answer to roars of "Lady Mitford's carriage!" surging up the stairs. "Thank you if you'll give my wife your arm." Lady Mitford accepted this courtesy very frigidly, just touching Laurence's arm with the tips of her fingers. After she had entered the brougham, Alsager stood back for Sir Charles to follow; but the latter shut the door, saying, "Goodnight, Georgie dear; I shan't be late." "Oh, Charley, are you not coming with me?" she said. "No, dear, not just yet. Don't put on such a frightened face, Georgie, or Colonel Alsager will think I'm a perfect Blue-beard. I'm going to sup with Bligh and Winton; to be introduced to that fellow who acted so well,--Pontifex, you know. Shan't be late, dear.--Home, Daniell's." And as the carriage drove off, Sir Charles Mitford, forgetting to finish his civil speeches to Laurence, shook hands with him and Bertram, and wishing them goodnight, walked off with his companions. "Chaff or earnest," said Mr. Bertram, when they were left alone, "going away again?" "I don't know yet; I can't tell; I've half a mind to--How horribly disappointed that little woman looked when that lout said he was going out to supper! He is a lout, your friend, George." "Cubbish; don't know things yet; wants training," jerked out Mr. Bertram. "Wants training, does he? He'll get it soon enough if be consorts much with Bligh and Winton, and that set. They'll sharpen him." "Like Lady Mitford?" said Bertram, interrogatively. "I think not; I don't know. She seems a little rustic and missish at present. Let's come to the Club; I want a smoke." But as they walked along, Laurence wrung some further particulars about Lady Mitford from his friend; and as they ascended the club-steps, he said, "I don't think, if I had a pretty wife like that, I should leave her for the sake of passing my evening with Winton and Bligh, or even of being introduced to Mr. Pontifex. Would you, George?" "Can't say. Never had one," was Mr. Bertram's succinct reply. CHAPTER IV. IN THE SMOKING-ROOM.