(“She was a born coquette,” O’Hagan has confided to me; “but devilish pretty and full of spirit. Too joyous a nature by far to dovetail with the sour-jowl who had insulted me.”) “Then permit me to apologise for your friend,” continued the amazing Captain, “who forces this necessity upon me by declining his card!” “How dare you!” cried the friend, breathless. “Hang it all! I’ll give you in charge if you continue to annoy me!” “Your card, sir,” persisted O’Hagan. “It is unavoidable that you afford me satisfaction for the insult placed upon me.” “Come along, Moira,” breathed the enraged man, and offered his arm to the girl. “We shall be late for dinner. Never mind this lunatic!” They proceeded. O’Hagan paced gloomily beside them. Some twenty yards thus; then: “Clear out, confound you!” cried the man, turning upon O’Hagan with a leaping blaze of passion. “By heaven, you will make me forget myself!” “You have done so already—for which reason I demand to know where I may find you.” Choking—wrought upon to the limit of his endurance—the other stood, mouth atwitch, hands clenched. “Your card, sir,” said O’Hagan icily. The man addressed snatched again at the girl’s arm and hurried her onward. Speech, now, was denied to him; his companion could feel how he quivered and shook in the gale of his emotions. Somewhat, she was frightened; but in part, too, the novelty of the situation pleased the romantic within her. She knew not what to say apposite to the strange impasse, so wisely said nothing. Captain O’Hagan completed the silent trio. Through a gate whose opening discovered a carriage-sweep they passed. Upon a neat lawn lights blazed out from every visible window of a substantial mansion. The obstinate and enraged stranger recovered command of his tongue. “How dare you follow me into these premises!” “I am not a spy, to follow any man,” retorted O’Hagan. “I am _accompanying_ you!” The bell’s ring brought a trim maid. In the cosy hall, where a fire crackled good cheer, and a well-assorted array of hats and coats bespoke a convivial gathering, several loungers were revealed. As the sour man and the pretty girl entered, the unbidden visitor heard the former mention the name of the host, “Major Trefusis.” Captain O’Hagan the maid eyed doubtfully. The new arrival smiled an evil triumph. But O’Hagan calmly handed his card to the girl. “Request Major Trefusis to step this way!” he said. His pose, as, standing just within the hall, he raised his glass and surveyed the guests, was a liberal education in deportment; his supreme self-possession a pure delight, a thing humanly inimitable. ————— II. THE OTHER. Major Trefusis, retired, with an Indian liver but a warm heart, made a rushing entry, O’Hagan’s card in hand. “What! brought a friend. Repton? Delighted to have you, Captain!”