pounds. Helen would not have a more expensive one. She is
always telling me not to be extravagant."

"That, my dear boy, invariably happens to an impecunious fellow who
marries a rich wife."

Ronnie flushed. "I am impecunious no longer," he said. "During the past
twelve months I have made, by my books, a larger income than my wife's."

"I can well believe it," said Aubrey, cordially. "But I suppose she can
never forget the fact that, when you married her, she paid your debts."

Ronald West sprang to his feet.

"Confound you!" he said, violently. "What do you mean? Helen never paid
my debts! She found them out, I admit; but I paid them every one myself,
with the first cheque I received from my publishers. I demand an
explanation of your statement."

The other two members of the trio round the stove appeared completely
unmoved by the fury of the young man who had leapt to his feet. The
Infant of Prague leaned calmly against its chair, reflecting the fire in
its polished surface, and pressing its one sharp foot into the parquet.
Aubrey smiled, deprecatingly, and waved Ronnie back to his seat.

"My dear fellow, I am sure I beg your pardon. My cousin certainly gave
her family to understand that she had paid your debts. No doubt this was
not the case. We all know that women are somewhat given to exaggeration
and inaccuracy. Think no more of it."

Ronnie sat down moodily in his chair.

"It was unlike Helen," he said, "and it was a lie. I shall find out with
whom it originated. But you are a good fellow to take my word about it
at once. I am obliged to you, Treherne."

"Don't mention it, West. Men rarely lie to one another. On the other
hand women rarely speak the truth. What will my good cousin say to one
hundred and fifty pounds being paid for a 'cello?"

"It will be no business of hers," said Ronnie, angrily. "I can do as I
choose with my own earnings."

"I doubt it," smiled Aubrey Treherne.

"The man who married my cousin Helen, was bound to surrender his
independence and creep under her thumb. I am grateful to you for having
saved me from that fate. As no doubt she has told you, she refused me
shortly before she accepted you."

Ronald's start of surprise proved at once to Aubrey his complete
ignorance of the whole matter.

"I had no idea you were ever in love with my wife," he said.

"Nor was I, my dear fellow," sneered Aubrey Treherne. "Others, besides
yourself, were after your wife's money."

A sense