There was a hearty handclasp, and a sort of facetious fraternal hug, after the fashion of men who humorously disguise a deeper emotion, and they were presently seated in great amity before the glowing fire. “This is imported Oriental tobacco,” said Adrian, handing his brother a cigar. “Imported from where--the corner drugstore?” demanded Randal, laughing, his face illumined by the flicker of the lighted match. “Genuine Ladikieh,” protested Adrian. “It’s like carrying coals to Newcastle to pay duty on tobacco in America.” “I didn’t say I paid any duty, did I?” “Oh, you haven’t the grit to smuggle anything through, and if you had you would have brought enough to generously divvy up with me.” He sent off a fragrant puff, stretched out luxuriously in his armchair, and turned his clear eyes upon his brother. There was a momentary silence. “I read the report of your address in the papers. It was very able and convincing.” “I’d care more for your compliments if you understood the subject,” declared Randal cavalierly. Then, roguishly, “Is that _all_ you have read about me in the papers lately?” Adrian stared, dumfounded. And he had so wincingly deprecated the effect of this limelight of publicity upon the shrinking heart of the rejected lover. “I think it very hard you should be subjected to this,” he began sympathetically. “Who--I? Why,--I was never so pleased in my life!” “Why--what do you mean, Randal? It is a very serious matter; it might have had a life-and-death significance.” “Serious enough for Floyd-Rosney,” Randal laughed bluffly. “Did ever a fellow so befool himself, and call all the world to witness! Of course, I deprecate the publicity for the lady, but everybody understands the situation. It does not injure her position in the least. That is the kind of husband she wanted--and she has got him.” Adrian silently smoked a few moments. “I never was so affronted in my life,” he said. Once more Randal laughed. “I was simply enchanted,” he declared. “Honestly, Randal, I don’t understand you,” said Adrian, holding his cigar delicately in his fingers. “Oh, I am very simple, quite transparent, in fact.” Adrian shook his head, restoring his cigar to his lips. “Don’t make you out, old man.” “Because you have never been told by a lady to take foot in hand, and toddle! Discarded--rejected--despised! Therefore”--with a strong puff--“you can’t know what a keen joy it is to realize that you are still important enough to be the cause of domestic discord between husband and wife, when you haven’t seen the lady but once in five years, and then in his presence, besides, being five hundred miles away, meekly babbling about levee protection.” Adrian stared. “And you like that?” “Like it? It goes to the cockles of my heart.” “Randal, I should never have thought it of you,” said Adrian rebukingly.