And there again, where should he encounter such a desire? One had only to look into his calm, fine face to feel that the unattainable in the form of love, barred by marriage vows as lightly made as broken, would never stir the depths of his heart, nor appeal to his real self in any way whatever. He would not love such a woman, however for a time she might fascinate him; and afterwards there would only be the nausea and the memory that was like an unpleasant taste. Such a woman might teach him many things it is no harm for a man to know; but she would never call to the best in him, nor help him to realise himself. “Have you seen your friend the duchess lately?” she asked, with a disarming smile, not wishing to appear merely curious. “Yes; I saw her on Friday, at a ball. She was in great form.” “You danced with her?” “Yes. She’s not a good dancer.” “Then you only had one, I suppose?” “No, three.” He smiled a little. “We sat out two.” “You ought to have felt highly honoured.” “Oh, I don’t know. She is very amusing. A very funny thing happened last week. Out of sheer devilry, she and a friend and two men went to the Covent Garden Fancy Dress Ball, disguised of course, and just for an hour or two. To their horror, after the procession, the friend was handed a large glass-and-silver salad bowl, as a prize for being the best ‘twostep’ dancer in the room. Of course she had to go off with the beastly thing; but she was so proud of winning it, she couldn’t resist giving their escapade away, and it got round everywhere.” “I wonder if our escapade with Lady Bounce is out yet? I haven’t seen Hal since Thursday.” “Oh yes, it is,” eagerly; “the duchess had heard about it. She was pumping me to know who was in the joke. We are longing to see Quin and hear the latest, but he is down east.” “What an oddity he is!” thoughtfully. “I liked him so much: but it is difficult to reconcile him with slumming.” “He’s one of the best. Every one loves him. And he does his slumming in quite a way of his own. I’ve been with him sometimes, and he just goes among the rough characters down there as if he hated being a swell and wanted to be one of them. He positively asks them for sympathy, and of course it takes their fancy and he is friends with them all.” “I think you are a remarkable trio altogether. Hal’s cousin Dick is just as original in his way as St. Quintin. And you, of course, are somehow different to the majority. I wonder how you will each end? St. Quintin will perhaps become a bishop. Dick Bruce will write an astounding, weird novel, and bound into fame. And you? …” He flushed a little. “I shall be left far behind by both of them, futilely wishing to catch up.” “I hope not. Your chance is just as good as theirs, if you choose to make it so,” “I fail to see that I have any chance at all.” “Most chances rest chiefly with ourselves. It’s a great thing to be ready for them if they come. I hope you’ll be that.”