“O! I’ll soon set all that right! I’ll run over to the Red House and see the old girl, if you two will promise not to tell Elinor!” “I should not advise you to do that! I am afraid you might get a warm reception. I think Madame Gobelli is quite capable of having you soused in the horse-pond. You would think the same if you had heard the names she called you yesterday.” “What did she call me?” “Everything she could think of. She considers you have behaved not only in a most ungentlemanly manner towards her, but in a most dishonourable one to Miss Brandt. She particularly told me to tell you that she never wished to see your face again.” “Damn her!” exclaimed Captain Pullen, wrathfully, “and all her boots and shoes into the bargain. A vulgar, coarse old tradesman’s wife! How dare she----” “Stop a minute, Ralph! The Baroness’s status in society makes no difference in this matter. You know perfectly well that you did wrong. Let us have no more discussion of the subject.” Captain Pullen leaned back sulkily in his chair. “Well! if I _did_ flirt a little bit more than was prudent with an uncommonly distracting little girl,” he muttered presently, “I am sure I have had to pay for it! Lord Walthamstowe insists that if I do not marry Elinor before the Rangers start for Malta the engagement shall be broken off, so I suppose I must do it! But it is a doosid nuisance to be tied up at five-and-twenty, before one has half seen life! What the dickens I am to do with her when I’ve got her, I’m sure I don’t know!” “O! you will find married life very charming when you’re used to it!” said Pennell consolingly, “and Miss Leyton is everything a fellow could wish for in a wife! Only you must give up flirting, my boy, or if I mistake not, you’ll find you’ve caught a tartar!” “I expect to have to give up everything,” said the other with a sour mouth. As soon as he perceived a favourable opportunity, Anthony Pennell rose to take his leave. He did not wish to quarrel with Ralph Pullen about a girl whom he had only seen once, at the same time he feared for his own self-control, if his cousin continued to mention the matter in so nonchalant a manner. Pennell had always despised Captain Pullen for his easy conceit with regard to women, and it seemed to him to have grown more detestably contemptible than before. He was anxious therefore to quit the scene of action. But, to his annoyance, when he bade Margaret good-evening, Ralph also rose and expressed his wish to walk with him in the direction of his chambers. “I suppose you couldn’t put me up for the night, old chappie!” he said with his most languid air. “Decidedly not!” replied Pennell. “I have only my own bedroom, and I’ve no intention of your sharing it. Why do you not go back to Richmond, or put up at an hotel?” “Doosid inhospitable!” remarked Captain Pullen, with a faded smile.