"You will stay to lunch?" "Impossible. Most important business in the neighbourhood. Hilton has been most hospitable and refreshed me, and I really must be off--eh, Hilt?" "Certainly." "The fact is, Lady Lisle, it is a question of money matters. Business connection with a bank." Lady Lisle bowed, and looked relieved. "If you must go, then, Dr Granton--" "I really must, my dear madam. No, no, Hilton, dear boy, don't ring for the horse; I'll go round by the stables and pick up my hack. Don't you come. Good-morning, Lady Lisle. I hope you will let me call if I am again this way?" "Certainly, Dr Granton. I am always happy to extend the hospitality of the Denes to my husband's friends." "Thank you; of course. Once more, good-morning. Morning, Hilton, dear boy. Au revoir!" He passed out, and the frown on Lady Lisle's brow deepened. "I'm afraid, Hilton," she said, "that Dr Granton's business may have something to do with the races." "Eh? Indeed! Well, now you say so, I suppose it is possible." "You have not allowed him to tempt you into going, Hilton?" "No, my dear," said the baronet; "certainly not." He spoke out quickly and firmly, the glow of the virtuous who had resisted temptation warming his breast. "Thank you, dear," she said, laying her hand almost caressingly upon her lord's shoulder. "It could only have meant gambling, risking money to win that of others. Hilton, my love, it is so vile and despicable." "Think so, Laura?" he said, with the cold chill of his wife's words completely extinguishing the virtuous glow. "Think so? Oh, yes, Hilton. You cannot imagine how happy you make me by the way you are casting behind you your old weaknesses, and are devoting yourself to Parliamentary study." "For which I fear I am very unfit," said Sir Hilton; and he turned cold directly after at a horrible thought which seemed to stun him. Suppose she should say, "Well, give it up," and want to withdraw that balance at the bank! "What an idiot I was to say that!" he thought. But relief--partial relief--came the next minute. "That is your modesty, my dear," said Lady Lisle. "I flatter myself that I know your capabilities better than you know them yourself. Hilton, I shall devote myself to the task of being your Parliamentary secretary, and I mean that you shall shine." "Thank you, my dear," said the unhappy man, sadly, as he thought of the daring venture he had set in commission, and began to repent as he walked to the window and looked out.