Reggie, who seemed to have recovered himself, turned round with a laugh. "Yours is a callous heart, Tony," he said. "Suppose we leave this scene of vice and get back to town. There's sure to be a poisonous crush after the last race." "I'm ready," replied Musette. "So am I," added Gwendoline, "unless Tony wants to stay." Tony buttoned his coat. "Mr. Delmar's interest in racing," he observed, "is temporarily suspended." * * * * * * * It was just six o'clock when the big dust-stained car pulled up outside Portman Mansions. Reggie opened the door, and Gwendoline, after collecting her various possessions, rustled daintily out. "Eight o'clock, Reggie," she said, "and there's a woodcock for dinner. Don't be late. Good-bye, Miss Gilbert. Good-bye, Tony; I'm frightfully sorry Little Eva lost." "Your griefs are mine, Gwendoline," observed Tony gravely. "Where do you want to get out, Reggie?" "Oh, drop Miss Gilbert next," said Reggie. "I'll come along with you to Hyde Court." A few minutes brought them to Curzon Street, where Musette alighted. "Eight o'clock also, Tony," she said; "but I'm afraid there's no woodcock. It will be an impromptu feast." "I'm not greedy," said Tony. "It is one of my few good points." Reggie climbed into the vacant seat alongside of him, and, waving farewell to Musette, they slid off noiselessly round the corner. Neither of them spoke until the car drew up outside Tony's flat. Then Reggie laid his hand on his friend's arm. "Don't be stupid, Tony," he said. "Marry Musette. You'll make her very happy." Tony remained silent. "Very well," said Reggie, with a sigh; "it's not my business. There is only one other thing I want to say. As far as it goes, Tony, you know that what's mine is yours. You'll let me do what I can?" "My dear Reggie," said Tony, "there's only one luxury I can afford to carry away from this absurd city, and that's the thought that there was one person I never borrowed any money from. Still, it's quite charming of you, Reggie. Come and have breakfast with me in the morning." Reggie nodded. Leaving the car in charge of the porter on duty, Tony climbed a little wearily up the stairs that led to his flat. As he opened the door he was met in the hall by the impassive Ropes. Tony looked at him with a smile. "I see from your expression, Ropes," he said, "that you have been reading the evening paper." Ropes inclined his head. "If you will pardon me, sir," he observed, "I was deeply distressed to see that Little Eva had lost, very deeply distressed." Tony took off his coat and hat, and handed them over to his sorrowing retainer. "Ah well, Ropes," he remarked, "we've had a pleasant time while it lasted. You must go to Lord North; he's been pestering me to give you up for years. You'll have a bigger scope there for your peculiar abilities." Ropes shook his head.