"Of course, we know all about you, about the great house of Murchison, you are tiled-in all right." He lowered his voice to a confidential whisper: "What about that young chap yonder? I suppose he's rolling in money, too?" It was growing insufferable. For two pins Hugh would have got up and bidden him goodnight then and there, but he shrank from making a scene. what a fool he had been to come here, to allow his kindly feeling for that susceptible young donkey of a Pomfret to expose him to such an ordeal as this. "Really, Mr. Burton," he said in a cutting voice, "I do not discuss the private affairs of my friends on such a brief acquaintance. If you are really anxious to know, I believe Mr. Pomfret has considerable expectations from an old aunt who is fairly wealthy. Those expectations depend, I understand, upon his conforming generally to her wishes in all respects." "Ah, I understand," said the unabashed Burton. "Sorry if my question gave you offence. What really put it in my head was the difference between his position and mine when I was his age." There was silence for some little time, while the two men applied themselves steadily to their cigars. Then Burton jumped up suddenly. "This must be a bit slow for you and your friend, and the night is young. What do you say to a game at bridge?" Yes, Captain Murchison would welcome a game of bridge, anything as a relief to this vulgarian's conversation. They played for over two hours, Murchison keenly alert from certain suspicions that had been forming in his mind. At present there was no foundation for these vague suspicions. They played for small stakes, but the visitors rose up the winners, not by a great amount, but still winners. It was a fine night, the two men walked back to their quarters. "How did you get on with the charmer? I saw you seemed very confidential together," asked the older man. "Splendidly, old chap. She told me a lot about her history." Pomfret related all he had been told in full. "And how did you get on with the brother?" "Don't ask me," replied Hugh with a groan. "He's the most insufferable creature I ever came across. I don't really think I can go there again. At the beginning of the evening he started fairly well, but later he reverted to type." "Well, I may as well tell you straight, I shall. The next time we go I'll take a share of the brother." When Pomfret spoke in that tone he meant what he said, and Hugh knew he would have his own wilful way. There was one piece of information which the young subaltern had not imparted to his friend. It was this--that after much pressing, and more than one refusal, Miss Burton had agreed to meet him to-morrow afternoon at a very sequestered spot about a mile and a half from Blankfield, with the view of pursuing their acquaintance. CHAPTER V