"Have you never heard," he pursued, "of the story of that priceless Arabian pearl, which, after it had been missing for months was ultimately returned to its owner by a bird? Meanwhile, however, the owner in question had been robbed of all he possessed, and the pearl itself would certainly have gone too, if it had not been accidentally hidden where only the bird could have found it. One day the bird was killed, the treasure was found in its nest, and the owner was restored to a state of affluence, of which, if the pearl had not originally been lost, he must have despaired till the end of his days. "You are walking fast," said Leonetta breathlessly. "Yes,--do you mind?" "We shan't be so very late." "I should prefer not to be late," said Lord Henry, "I know Sir Joseph studies punctuality." Truth to tell, the young nobleman's imagination had for the last few minutes been busy with more vital matters than the framing of fresh contributions to the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, and he was feeling none too well at ease. It had occurred to him that his drastic action might have more disastrous effects than merely nipping Denis's passion in the bud, and he wished to rejoin the company at Brineweald at the earliest possible moment. "I assure you, Lord Henry, that you can take it much more easily," cried Leonetta. "Let me give you my arm," he suggested. "That will help you." She took his arm, and he proceeded to tell her how probably a chance unpleasant word dropped by Charles I. to Lady Carlisle had ultimately led to the Grand Rebellion. Meanwhile, Denis Malster, panting more with fury than from the violent exercise he had taken, had reached the terrace of Brineweald Park, and was looking about him for someone to whom he could confide his incriminating intelligence against Lord Henry. "All alone?" cried Mrs. Delarayne, coming towards him. "My word, how hot you look!" "Vanessa and Tribe are close behind," he said; "they'll be here in a minute. Where are the others?" "Cleopatra, Agatha, Agnes, and Guy have just come in," replied the widow. "But where's Leonetta?" "She's somewhere," he said indifferently. "Lost her bangle or something." And he passed on, making towards the smoking-room, the door of which was open. Evidently Mrs. Delarayne was not to be his confidante, and, as he vanished behind the glass doors, she wondered what his strange manner could signify. There was no one in the smoking-room, and he moved on into the lounge. Sir Joseph was there, sipping an _aperitif_ with Guy, and sitting around them were Miss Mallowcoid and the first arrivals, still clad in their mackintoshes. They were all discussing the arrangement for some rabbit shooting in the afternoon. Sir Joseph wanted the rabbits for his men in Lombard Street. Cleopatra and everyone looked up as Denis entered. "Well?" enquired Guy, "did you find the bangle?"