t; but between the first page and the signature I did not
read a word."

Sellon burst into a roar of laughter--apparently over the mistake, in
reality as he realised how quickly he would be in a position to turn the
enemy's flank.

"My dear fellow, don't say another word about it. The joke is an
exceedingly rich one. See what comes of our names being so infernally
alike. Two Sells--eh? But you don't suppose I am going to share in
your entertainment over this charming epistle? Not much. Just oblige
me with a match."

"Wait, wait," cried the other. "Better read it this time--or, at any
rate, as much of it as it was my misfortune to see."

"H'm! Well, here goes," said Maurice, jerking the letter out of the
envelope as though it would burn his fingers, "Quite so," he went on,
with a bitter sneer, running his eye down the sheet. "That's about
enough of this highly entertaining document, the rest can be taken as
read, like a petition to the House of Commons. That match, if you
please. Thanks. I need hardly remind you, Selwood," he went on,
watching the flaming sheet curling up in the grate, "I need hardly
remind you how many men there are in this world who marry the wrong
woman. I dare say I needn't remind you either that a considerable
percentage of these are entrapped and defrauded into the concern by lies
and deception, against which it is next to impossible for any man to
guard--at all events any young man. When to this I add that there are
women in this world who for sheer, gratuitous, uniform fiendishness of
disposition could give the devil points and beat him at an easy canter.
I think I've said about enough for all present purposes."

"This is an awkward and most unpleasant business," said Selwood.
"Excuse me if I feel bound to refer once more to that letter. The--er--
writer makes reference by name to Miss Avory, who is a guest in my
house, and a relation of my wife's--and that, too, in a very
extraordinary manner, to put it as mildly as I can."

"My dear fellow, that's a little way of hers. I can assure you I am
most awfully put out that you should have been annoyed about the
business. As to the mistake, don't give it another thought."

"How did Mrs--er--the writer--know Miss Avory was here?"

This was a facer--not so much the question as the fact that the
knowledge of Violet's whereabouts on the part of the writer implied that
he, Sellon, had not met her there at Sunningdale for the first