nswered, walking by her side.

"I suppose you know a great many," she suggested.

"They are all cast into oblivion----"

"Is it your experience," said Bridget, turning to look into his face,
"that they appreciate this--this sort of thing?"

"Don't you?" asked Jimmy.

"I rather prefer being spoken to as if I were a reasonable being!"

"I was hoping you were not one," he said. "The spring is too
intoxicating. Everything," he continued, as they turned with one
consent from Knightsbridge into the park, "seems unaccustomed, fresh,
young, and you the most of all. Hang being reasonable! Suggest
something mad and let us do it together. But," he cried, abruptly
changing his tone, "what should you like me to talk about?"

"I suppose your favourite topic is yourself," she said. "Tell me what
you do--if ever you do anything."

"I don't," he replied. "I am what is called a spoilt child of fortune."

"You like being spoilt?"

"It depends on the spoiler. Sometimes I hate it."

"Why?" asked Bridget.

"Oh well," he said, as they walked by the side of Rotten Row, and Jimmy
occasionally lifted his straw hat to some passer-by who did not fail to
stare at his companion, "if we have to be serious, one has moments of
inspiration and pines for better things."

"Aren't they within your reach?"

"Your most ardent socialist," said Jimmy, "won't dream of pooling his
money till the millennium. What would be the use of my setting to work
and cutting out some poor devil who wants it?"

"Mightn't you go into parliament?" suggested Bridget.

"Original minds there are at a discount."

"Is your mind original?"

"An independent member is certain to be shunted at the first
opportunity," said Jimmy. "They want men who think in droves."

"There's the army," returned Bridget. "At least you might learn how to
defend your country."

"Yes, I have done that," he said, as they reached Hyde Park Corner. "I
used to be in the --th Hussars. Unfortunately, I got a rather bad
sunstroke in India. That may account for any small eccentricity you
notice."

"I was wondering," answered Bridget.

"As I had to come home," he explained, "and to keep quiet for I don't
know how long, I sold out. Since then I've raised a troop of yeomanry
at Atlinghurst. I have a place there, you know."

"Surely you might find a useful occupation in its management!"

"I did," said Jimmy, "until it was taken away."

"How?" asked Bridget.

"Simply bec