His tenants he was prepared to look
after--outside his own property he didn't care a snap of the fingers
whether people lived or died. Mr. Wensome said it was perfectly awful
to hear him talk, and he came away without a penny. Yet his property in
this country alone is worth fifty thousand a year.

"It is very surprising," Brooks said, thoughtfully. "The more
surprising because I know of a kind action which he once did."

"Sh! they're coming here!" she exclaimed. "That is the Marquis."

The omnibus had pulled up outside. A tall footman threw open the door,
and held an umbrella over the two ladies who had descended. The Marquis
and two other men followed. They trooped into the little place,
bringing with them a strange flavour of another world. The women wore
wonderful furs, and one who had ermine around her neck wore a great
bunch of Neapolitan violets, whose perfume seemed to fill the room.

"This is a delightful idea," the taller one said, turning towards her
host. "An eight-mile drive before tea sounded appalling. Where shall
we sit, and may we have muffins?"

"There is nothing about your youth, Lady Sybil, which I envy more than
your digestion," he answered, motioning them towards a table. "To be
able to eat muffins with plenty of butter would be unalloyed bliss.
Nevertheless, you shall have them. No one has ever called me selfish.
Let us have tea, and toast, and bread-and-butter and cakes, and a great
many muffins, please, young lady," he ordered. "And will you send out
some tea to my servants, please? It will save them from trying to
obtain drinks from the hotel next door, and ensure us a safe drive
home."

"And don't forget to send out for that pack of cards, Arranmore," the
elder lady said. "We are going to play bridge driving home with that
wonderful little electric lamp of yours.

"I will not forget," he promised. "We are to be partners, you know."

He was on the point of sitting down when he saw Brooks at the next
table. He held out his hand.

"How do you do, Mr. Brooks?" he said. "I am glad to see that you are
going to get your man in.

"Thank you," Brooks answered, rising and waiting for his companion, who
was buttoning her gloves. "I was afraid that your sympathies would be
on the other side."

"Dear me, no," the Marquis answered. "My enemies would tell you that I
have neither sympathy nor politics, but I assure you that at heart I am
a most devout Radical. I have a vote, too, and you may coun