'Not exactly,' said Uffington. 'Lord Forestfield has hitherto only obtained the first portion of what he seeks--the decree _nisi_.' 'O, you know all about it,' said Lydyeard. 'I thought with your passion for wandering you might have rushed away immediately after I saw you, and only just returned. What I was going to say was that I came across Forestfield the other day.' 'The deuce you did!' said Uffington, now really interested; 'how long ago?' 'O, just before I came down here, about ten days since. I came home through Paris, and there I found our young friend. He must be desperately hard up for some one to speak to, I imagine, as, though I know very little of him, he seemed to make tremendous advances for my society.' 'In Paris, was he?' said Uffington. 'Do you think he is there still?' 'O yes,' said Lydyeard. 'He said he should probably remain the winter, and I should think very likely he would from all I saw and heard.' 'Where is he staying?' asked Uffington. 'Nominally at Meurice's, but he is only to be found there between five in the morning, when he goes to bed, and three in the afternoon, when he gets up. I didn't mix myself up with him much, for he isn't quite my style, as you know; but from what I hear I have an idea that he must have taken to punting again--he used to be death on that when he was quite a lad, but I understood he had quite given it up. Now he seems to have gone at it again with additional vigour. He is a bad lot anyhow, and will come to a bad end. How long are you going to stay here? Why don't you come over and see Billy Norreys? He would be delighted to give you as much shooting as you liked.' 'Thanks. I don't know Mr. Norreys, but I am happy to assume his kindness, and yours, too, in thinking of me; but I must go to town this morning by express, as I want to catch the night mail to Paris.' 'You going to Paris? Then perhaps you will come across Forestfield. If you do, take my advice, and don't play with him. I shouldn't have said anything more if you hadn't been likely to meet; but I may tell you now that I heard he was mixed up with a very shady lot.' 'Much obliged for the warning,' said Uffington, with a light laugh, 'but I don't think I have much cause for fear. At games of skill I can hold my own with most men, and I rarely, if ever, play at games of chance. And now I must go and give my servant notice to pack; so good-bye. You don't know how pleased I am to have seen you.' He shook Lydyeard's hand warmly, and left the room.