t whom he lived. Had he been a poorer man,
he might have risen to any height by virtue of his own talents; but,
lapped in luxury, lulled by the homage of society, he remained
dissatisfied, discontented, and apathetic.

The clock, striking eight, aroused him. Throwing aside the cigar which
had burnt itself out, he rose. He had promised Jasper to come down to
the Casket Theatre; and, however weary he might be of the tinsel and
glitter, yet he never thought of making an excuse, or of breaking his
word.

He was about to set forth, when Norgate announced "Lord Standon," and
though Adrien's greeting was as courteous as usual, the old genial
warmth was gone. Lord Standon perceived this, and knew that he had not
been mistaken in his belief that he had somehow angered Adrien.

Directly Norgate had closed the door behind him, therefore, he dashed,
as was his wont, straight to the heart of things.

"Leroy," he said abruptly, "what's wrong with you?"

Adrien stared at him.

"Wrong!" he echoed. "What on earth do you mean? What should be wrong?"

"I don't know," returned the other bluntly; "but I seem to have rubbed
you up the wrong way somehow----"

"Nonsense," said Leroy, trying hard to resume his usual warmth of
manner. "What a ridiculous idea! Have you dined, or shall I ring?" He
crossed the room almost hurriedly.

"No, no, thanks," interrupted Lord Standon. "I'm just off again; it was
only a passing idea. Sorry to have mentioned it."

He turned, as if to go; and Leroy made no attempt to restrain him.

"I have to congratulate you, I suppose, on your engagement?" he said
coldly, when the young man had almost reached the door.

Lord Standon turned sharply, and stared at him. He grasped the situation
at once, but was still greatly puzzled, for he knew Leroy was but
slightly acquainted with Lady Muriel Branton.

"Thanks, old man," he returned, rather awkwardly. "But it's a dead
secret, really; I suppose Lady Constance told you?"

Leroy frowned.

"Yes," he said simply, "Why not?"

"Oh, no reason at all," said Lord Standon, flushing like a boy; "only
it's got to be kept quiet, you know--my affairs are in such a beastly
state."

"I wonder you----" commenced Leroy.

"Dared to ask her," put in Standon, laughing a little confusedly. "Yes,
it was a bit of cheek on my part, but 'faint heart never won fair lady,'
you know, and by Jove! if I hadn't, some other lucky devil might have
slipped in and carried her off by shee