of course, a very relative term. But I think I have the
right to ask whether this is the footing on which you propose to begin
your married life?"

It was an extremely awkward question, as the reader will perceive. If
Ventimore replied--as he might with truth--that he had no intention
whatever of maintaining his wife in luxury such as that, he stood
convicted of selfish indulgence as a bachelor; if, on the other hand, he
declared that he _did_ propose to maintain his wife in the same
fantastic and exaggerated splendour as the present, it would certainly
confirm her father's disbelief in his prudence and economy.

And it was that egregious old ass of a Jinnee, as Horace thought, with
suppressed rage, who had let him in for all this, and who was now far
beyond all remonstrance or reproach!

Before he could bring himself to answer the question, the attendants had
noiselessly removed the tray and stool, and were handing round rosewater
in a silver ewer and basin, the character of which, luckily or
otherwise, turned the Professor's inquisitiveness into a different
channel.

"These are not bad--really not bad at all," he said, inspecting the
design. "Where did you manage to pick them up?"

"I didn't," said Horace; "they're provided by the--the person who
supplies the dinner."

"Can you give me his address?" said the Professor, scenting a bargain;
"because really, you know, these things are probably antiques--much too
good to be used for business purposes."

"I'm wrong," said Horace, lamely; "these particular things are--are lent
by an eccentric Oriental gentleman, as a great favour."

"Do I know him? Is he a collector of such things?"

"You wouldn't have met him; he--he's lived a very retired life of late."

"I should very much like to see his collection. If you could give me a
letter of introduction----"

"No," said Horace, in a state of prickly heat; "it wouldn't be any use.
His collection is never shown. He--he's a most peculiar man. And just
now he's abroad."

"Ah! pardon me if I've been indiscreet; but I concluded from what you
said that this--ah--banquet was furnished by a professional caterer."

"Oh, the banquet? Yes, _that_ came from the Stores," said Horace,
mendaciously. "The--the Oriental Cookery Department. They've just
started it, you know; so--so I thought I'd give them a trial. But it's
not what I call properly organised yet."

The slaves were now, with low obeisances, inviting them to seat
t