"Even the houses," he said, "which according to the injunctions of Scripture are built upon a rock, are liable to destruction by earthquakes. So, even, the strongest of us in the city have always the hundredth chance working in the world against us. The most amazing collapses have taken place. I was really wondering what would happen--how greatly it would affect you--if my riches were to vanish into thin air." "What an unpractical person you are this afternoon!" she murmured, looking at him curiously. "Supposing I were to sit here and worry about the fit of the dress which Madame Oliver is sending me home this afternoon for the ball to-night. I could make myself miserable in five minutes without the shadow of a reason." "Madame Oliver," he declared, "would deserve bankruptcy if she failed to fit a figure like yours." Lady Olive laughed. "Really," she said, "you are becoming quite a courtier." "Dear people," Julia Raynham murmured, leaning over, "if we may bring you back to the mundane world, everybody else is dying to start for Ranelagh." Lady Olive made a little grimace, and rose to her feet at once. "Stirling and I have only been boring one another because you all seemed so occupied," she declared. "Ranelagh, by all means. It is quite time we made a move." They made their way toward the Pall Mall entrance of the restaurant. Lady Olive fell back once more with Deane. "It's such a nuisance about this wretched dinner to-night," she said. "I think it was very bad taste indeed of the Duchess to ask us without you. You won't forget to come in and see me for half-an-hour before we go on to the ball? I shall be in my room at eleven o'clock punctually, and I will arrange so that I can take you on to Amberley House." He bowed. "I shall be with you." "Where are you dining?" she asked. "At the club, most likely. I never dine out on Wednesdays, if I can help it. We are always so busy. I shall have a quiet, comfortable evening." "Au revoir, then!" she said, stepping into one of the two automobiles which were waiting. Deane made his adieux to the rest of the party and watched them drive off. Then he called a hansom. "Messrs. Hardaway and Sons, Bedford Row," he told the man. "Drive as quickly as you can." CHAPTER VIII AN AWFUL RESPONSIBILITY John Hardaway, although he was a solicitor in a very busy practice, did not keep his friend waiting for a moment. "Come in, Deane, old chap," he said. "Is this business or friendship?" "Mostly business," declared Deane. Hardaway glanced at the clock. "Twelve minutes, precisely," he said. "Fire away, there's a good fellow. You are not going to give me the affairs of the Incorporated Gold-Mines Association to look after, I suppose?" "Not I," Deane answered. "They need a more subtle brain than yours, I am afraid. I have come to see you about the other affair." The lawyer nodded. "You heard the result?" he asked. "We did what we could."