m, Baxter."

"First, Mr. George, there is what I may term, the Course
Retaliatory,--which is Marriage--"

"Marriage?"

"With--another party, sir,--on the principle that there are as good fish
in the sea as ever came out, and--er--pebbles on beaches, sir; you
understand me, sir?"

"Perfectly, go on."

"Secondly, there is the Army, sir, I have known of a good many
enlistments on account of blighted affections, Mr. George, sir; indeed,
the Army is very popular."

"Ah?" said Bellew, settling the tobacco in his pipe with the aid of the
salt-spoon, "Proceed, Baxter."

"Thirdly, Mr. George, there are those who are content to--to merely
disappear."

"Hum!" said Bellew.

"And lastly sir, though it is usually the first,--there is dissipation,
Mr. George. Drink, sir,--the consolation of bottles, and--"

"Exactly!" nodded Bellew. "Now Baxter," he pursued, beginning to draw
diagrams on the table-cloth with the salt-spoon, "knowing me as you do,
what course should you advise me to adopt?"

"You mean, Mr. George,--speaking as between man and man of course,--you
mean that you are in the unfortunate position of being--crossed in your
affections, sir?"

"Also--heart-broken, Baxter."

"Certainly, sir!"

"Miss Marchmont marries the Duke of Hyde,--in three weeks, Baxter."

"Indeed, sir!"

"You were, I believe, aware of the fact that Miss Marchmont and I were
as good as engaged?"

"I had--hem!--gathered as much, sir."

"Then--confound it all, Baxter!--why aren't you surprised?"

"I am quite--over-come, sir!" said Baxter, stooping to recover the
salt-spoon which had slipped to the floor.

"Consequently," pursued Bellew, "I am--er--broken-hearted, as I told
you--"

"Certainly, sir."

"Crushed, despondent, and utterly hopeless, Baxter, and shall be,
henceforth, pursued by the--er--Haunting Spectre of the Might
Have Been."

"Very natural, sir, indeed!"

"I could have hoped, Baxter, that, having served me so long,--not to
mention my father, you would have shown just a--er shade more feeling in
the matter."

"And if you were to ask me,--as between man and man sir,--why I don't
show more feeling, then, speaking as the old servant of your respected
father, Master George, sir,--I should beg most respectfully to say that
regarding the lady in question, her conduct is not in the least
surprising, Miss Marchmont being a beauty, and aware of the fact, Master
George. Referring to your heart, sir, I am ready to swear th