Sir Roger: “Yes, yes. Since my—marriage, fear I’ve neglected bachelor friends. I leave London to-night—on departmental business.” Silence; broken by bubbling of narghli. Enter Donohue with coffee. Exit Donohue. O’Hagan fumbled for the indispensable pebble, found it, and examined Sir Roger’s face critically. “There’s a fly in the ointment, Rundel. Name the brute’s species.” Sir Roger put down his cup with a rattle. “Captain Haverley,” he snapped—“and now I’ve said it!” “Ah,” mused O’Hagan; “Haverley, of the —th Greys. Only know him by repute.” “What sort of repute?” growled Rundel. “Yes,” O’Hagan nodded, and dropped his monocle. “_That_ sort!” Sir Roger got upon his feet, and began to pace up and down a square of Persian carpet. “We know one another, O’Hagan. There’s not another man in England I’d confide in. But—well—Beesley told me about this afternoon—at Mrs. Pointzby-North’s, and I said, ‘Same old O’Hagan!’ That’s what it is, O’Hagan: there’s only one of you—only one of you! This—friendship—between my wife and Haverley is nothing—from Val’s point of view. Understand? _She_ means no harm.” “What attitude have you adopted?” “No attitude. Overlooked it. But I’m going away; and I will _not_ have Val talked about, and I will _not_ be made to look ridiculous. In a word, O’Hagan, I’ll have no damned _cavalière servante_ with Haverley’s reputation dangling after my wife!” “Well?” said O’Hagan, calmly sipping coffee. “Val’s younger than me; and I don’t want her to think that I think—see what I mean? I can’t speak to _her_.” “I follow you perfectly,” said O’Hagan. “You can speak to neither party without the risk of precipitating what you wish to avoid. Thanks for entrusting this matter to me, Rundel. I will call out Captain Haverley to-morrow morning!” “My dear fellow! never do at all!” “Why? I should see to it that he remained incapacitated in France throughout the term of your absence!” “Too medieval, O’Hagan—too dam’ medieval. Bar you the country for twelve months at least! Besides, he might refuse—or, worse, you might kill him!” “True,” agreed O’Hagan; “such mistakes have occurred. However—if Captain Haverley is not permitted the society of Lady Rundel during your absence, I take it that you will be satisfied?” “Certainly! certainly! If I knew that——” “Rely upon it, Rundel,” said O’Hagan, rising. “I will put an end to this undesirable intimacy. I shall regard it as my sacred duty to do so!” In that moment he was superb; a man worthy of the confidence of kings; a man to hold stainless the honour of a queen. “My dear fellow!” said Sir Roger, and shook his hand furiously. “My dear, dear fellow!” Ah! what a privilege it is to call Bernard O’Hagan your friend! ————— II. ACCORDING TO MYUKU.