ng to be considered--having very little of her own--and she was
doing her best to overcome her repugnance sufficiently to place him
among the eligibles.

Mattison got through the dinner without any exhibition of ill nature,
but, when the women retired, it came promptly to the fore.

The talk had turned on the subject of the Club Horse Show. It was
scheduled for the following month, and was quite the event of the
Autumn, in both a social and an equine sense. The women showed their
gowns and hosiery, the men their horses and equipment, and how
appropriately they could rig themselves out--while the general herd
stood around the ring gaping and envious.

Presently, there came a momentary lull in the conversation and Mattison
remarked:

"I see Royster & Axtell went up to-day. I reckon," with an insinuating
laugh, "there will be some entries withdrawn."

"Men or horses?" asked Hungerford.

"Both--and men who haven't horses, as well," with a sneering glance at
Croyden.

"Why, bless me! he's looking at you, Geoffrey!" Hungerford exclaimed.

"I am not responsible for the direction of Mr. Mattison's eyes,"
Croyden answered with assumed good nature.

Mattison smiled, maliciously.

"Is it so bad as that?" he queried. "I knew, of course, you were hit,
but I hoped it was only for a small amount."

"Shut up, Mattison!" exclaimed Colloden. "If you haven't any
appreciation of propriety, you can at least keep quiet."

"Oh, I don't know----"

"Don't you?" said Colloden, quietly, reaching across and grasping him
by the collar. "Think again,--_and think quickly_!"

A sickly grin, half of surprise and half of anger, overspread
Mattison's face.

"Can't you take a little pleasantry?" he asked.

"We don't like your pleasantries any more than we like you, and that is
not at all. Take my advice and mend your tongue." He shook him, much as
a terrier does a rat, and jammed him back into his chair. "Now, either
be good or go home," he admonished.

Mattison was weak with anger--so angry, indeed, that he was helpless
either to stir or to make a sound. The others ignored him--and, when he
was a little recovered, he got up and went slowly from the room.

"It wasn't a particularly well bred thing to do," observed Colloden,
"but just the same it was mighty pleasant. If it were not for the law,
I'd have broken his neck."

"He isn't worth the exertion, Roderick," Croyden remarked. "But I'm
obliged, old man. I enjoyed it."

When th