self up
haughtily, and put on an air of offence.

"No aspersions, if you please. _My_ parents are thin! It shall be
rheumatism, I think. That's quite ordinary and eminently respectable.
They might _both_ have it, if it comes to that."

But Antony objected.

"No. Not both! That's too drastic. My uncle would certainly object
that you would inherit a tendency. Only your father! A recent
attack..."

"Just so; and they are anxious to take it in time. Mother goes with
him, as they are a devoted couple and couldn't endure to be parted for
six weeks. Mud baths, I think. There's such a sound of verisimilitude
about mud baths! I think we must really decide on mud baths."

"Poor beggar, yes! I'm afraid there's no help for him. Where are they,
by the way? I've no idea. Have you?"

"Oh, yes. They are in Germany somewhere. Or is it Italy? Somewhere
about that part of the world," Juliet said vaguely, whereupon Antony
took out his pocket-book and wrote down a memorandum.

"A dutiful daughter ought to have her parents' address! I'll find that
out before dinner. As a matter of fact, I don't think my uncle will
trouble his head about your relations. There would have been the
dickens to pay if he had not approved of you, but he was quite unusually
amiable, took to you at first sight, and the aunt too. It went off far
better than I expected."

"Just let me be quite clear on one point," Juliet demanded. "Am I nice,
and amiable, and meek, or am I dashing and sportive?"

"Neither one nor the other, a useful blend. Don't worry about that.
You are perfectly all right as you are."

"And--just as a guide for moments of expansion--_might_ it be `Tony'?"

"Tony it must be. Most decidedly Tony." His voice was brisk with
decision. The brown eyes brightened in anticipation. "Perhaps even
occasionally, `Dear.'"

"Oh, no!" Juliet shook her head obstinately. "No `dears'! I've been
strictly brought up. I'm shy. _No_ demonstrations in public. I've no
brothers, you see, and have led a secluded life."

"Yes, yes, there's Phil; you must remember Phil. It was your brother
Phil who introduced us at Henley. You were staying with friends."

"I _have_ friends near Henley. Their name is Jones. Can you remember
Jones? Mr Jones, solicitor; Mrs Jones; Miss Jones; Miss Florence
Jones; Mr Reginald Jones, son, junior partner."

"Just so. Reginald, of course, is Philip's friend. Phil is, like
myself, home on leav