"Don't--for my sake, don't," he said to himself, unconsciously repeating the girl's words. "It makes me feel half mad." "All right," said the convalescent. "I'll take care, then, Gertie. Do you hear, Saul? Spirit except in homoeopathic doses is tabooed, so tempt me not." "I tempt you," said Saul, laughing merrily, but with the vocal chords horribly out of tune; "I like that. My dear Gertrude, here is a man from the States, who has been in the habit of taking whiskey as we take milk; he has been leading me into all kinds of excesses, playing Mephistopheles to me till I have had hard work to keep out of trouble, and then he turns upon me and says, `tempt me not.'" "Don't talk about it, please," said Gertrude imploringly. "Not I, you happy pair," said Saul, rising, and again laughing unpleasantly as he took up his glass. "Here's a speedy and a happy union to you both." He drained his glass, and set it down in silence, as Gertrude's face crimsoned, and then grew pale, while the master of The Mynns frowned. "Isn't that what you English people call bad taste?" he said sourly. "Surely not, my dear boy. I am only Cousin Saul, and have a right to banter a little. There, I'm off back to town." "I thought you were going to stay and have a hand at cards, and I want to have a game at billiards on the new table." "Cards, billiards? For shame, man, when the lovely Thais sits beside you. Why don't you take the good the gods provide you?" "Eh? What do you mean. Hang it all, don't begin quoting poetry to a fellow. What does he mean, Gertie? Oh, I see. Very good. But that's all right. She and I understand one another, and we shall have plenty of time to court after we're married. Eh, Gertie?" "I must go back to Mrs Hampton now," said Gertrude gravely. "Hang Mrs Hampton! How glad I shall be to see her back. But don't tell her, Gertie." She gave him a sad look, and bent down to whisper: "Remember." "Yes, I'll remember," was the reply, as her hand was caught and held for a few moments before she could withdraw it. Saul Harrington's teeth gritted together as he drew in his breath hard. "The jade!" he said to himself. "Womanlike. It means diamonds and carriages, does it, my cunning little schemer? Well, we shall see." He watched her furtively as she went off slowly; but he could not see the tears welling up to her eyes and brimming over, as with bended head she returned to the house, and in place of going upstairs directly, went into the dining-room, to stand for a few minutes with hands clasped gazing up at the searching eyes of the picture; and her lips moved as she whispered softly: "It is so--so hard, dear; but for your sake I will, and bring him back to what you wish him to be." "Bless her little heart!" said the master of The Mynns, with a sneering laugh, which made Saul start. "Nice little lassie, isn't she? Do you know, old fellow, I believe you wish you were in my shoes." "Bah!"