"His manner changed as soon as that horrid little wife of Selim came to the château. I don't like the way she makes eyes at him and I told him so this morning, down in the storerooms. My, but he flew up! He said he'd be damned if he'd marry me." She began to use her handkerchief vigorously. The men smiled as they looked away. "I--I intend to sue him for breach of promise," she said thickly. "Is it as bad as all that?" asked Deppingham consolingly. "What do you mean by 'bad as all that'? He's kissed me time and again, but that's all." "I'll send for Saunders," said Deppingham sternly. "Not while I'm here," she exclaimed, getting up nervously. "Just as you like, Miss Pelham. I'll send for you after we've talked it over with Saunders. We can't afford a scandal in the château, don't you know." "No, I should think not," she said pointedly. Then she looked at Chase and winked, with a meaning nod at the unobserving Deppingham. Chase followed her into the hall. "None of that, Miss Pelham," he said severely. Saunders came in a few minutes later, nervous and uncomfortable. "You sent for me, my lord," he said weakly. "Sit down, Saunders. Your knees seem to be troubling you. Miss Pelham is going to sue you for breach of promise." "Good Lord!" "What have you promised her, sir?" "That I _wouldn't_ marry her, that's all, sir," floundered Saunders. "She's got no right to presume, sir. Gentlemen always indulge in little affairs--flirtations, I might say, sir--it's most common. Of course, I thought she'd understand." "Don't you love her, Saunders?" "Oh, I say, my lord, that's rather a pointed question. My word, it is, sir! There may have been a bit of--er--well, you know--between us, sir, but--that's all, that's quite all. Absurdly all, 'pon my soul." "Saunders," said Britt solemnly, "I am her attorney. Be careful what you say in my presence." "Britt," said Saunders distinctly, "you are a blooming traitor! You told me yourself that she was used to all that sort of thing and wouldn't mind. Now, see what you do? It's--it's outrageous!" He was half in tears. Then turning to Deppingham, he went on fiercely, "I won't be bullyragged by any woman, sir. We got along beautifully until she began to shy figurative pots at me because Selim's wife looked at me occasionally. Hang it all, sir, I can't help it if the ladies choose to look at me. Minnie--Miss Pelham--was perfectly silly about it. Good Lord," he groaned in recollection. "It was a very trying scene she made, sir. More than ever, it made me realise that I can't marry beneath me. You see, my lord, we've got a fairish sort of social position out Hammersmith way--as far out as Putney, I might say, where we have rather swell friends, my mother and I--and I don't think--"