Denis braced himself for a great effort and, smiling with as much good humour as he could muster, helped himself to a glass of sherry. "Yes, what about the bangle?" Stephen exclaimed. "When I last saw them," Denis observed with creditable composure, "they were too busy kissing to be able to find any bangle." As he pronounced these words he glanced furtively at Cleopatra, but although he noticed that she winced, he was not a little surprised to see how collected and serene she remained. Did she perhaps think he was lying? "They were what?" cried Miss Mallowcoid. "Too busy, kissing,--kissing," Sir Joseph repeated. The spinster rose. "Rubbish!" cried Stephen. "He's only joking, Miss Mallowcoid." "Of course!" interjected Mrs. Tribe. "Well, what of it?" Sir Joseph exclaimed, "even if they were." "But who, who were kissing?" the old spinster demanded, going up to Denis. Denis laid his empty glass upon the tray and walked quietly out. Miss Mallowcoid evidently taking his departure as a hint, followed close behind. In the smoking-room he turned and faced her. "What is all this about?" she enquired. "Well, I don't know what you think," said Denis with tremendous gravity; "but really, when a man close on forty, not only entertains a child with all kinds of unsuitable conversation, but also inveigles her into the woods alone in order to kiss her, it seems to me things have really gone far enough." "You don't mean Lord Henry, do you?" ejaculated Miss Mallowcoid, clasping her hard white hands in horror. "I'm sorry to say I do!" Denis rejoined just as Vanessa and the Incandescent Gerald, who had also returned home, came in through the smoking-room and vanished into the lounge. "Oh, but this it monstrous!" cried Miss Mallowcoid. "Does her mother know?" "No, I've said nothing," said Denis, as the gong went for lunch. "If I hadn't been pressed I shouldn't have said anything even now." "Oh, but it was very noble of you to tell us," said Miss Mallowcoid, pondering a moment what she could do. "Very noble. Thank you, thank you, Denis!" Meanwhile Vanessa and the Incandescent Gerald had naturally been questioned by Sir Joseph, and Lord Henry's champion, Stephen; and it was not until the Incandescent Gerald had admitted very solemnly and reluctantly that he was afraid he did see Lord Henry embrace Leonetta, that Stephen was appeased, or rather silenced. "Well, I'm surprised, that's all," said the youth, and as he said this, Cleopatra, very pale and a little unsteady on her feet, glided quietly out of the room. She had disbelieved it until the end. It was only when the incorruptible Gerald Tribe had admitted it that she also had been convinced. * * * * *