orner of one eye, and he broke down, and asked
my pardon like a man. Swore he wouldn't have minded a bit, if Van
hadn't been with him. It's all right, Dick; I can read Felix the
Unhappy like a book."

"Well, gentlemen," said Trevor, as they reached the steps, "it is
settled for Wednesday, of course?"

"Well," said Landells, hesitating, "I--er--I--er--"

"Oh, you must come, Flick," said Trevor; "we've got all our old days to
go over, and I've ordered the yacht round. Vanleigh, help me to
persuade him."

"You might come," said Vanleigh, in a half-injured tone.

"Oh, I'll go if you are going," said Sir Felix, hastily; and then,
correcting himself--"if you both really wish it."

"That's right," said Trevor; "take pity on my seafaring ignorance. I
shall want some company down at the old place. Pratt has promised."

"Indeed!" said Vanleigh, fixing his glass in one eye. "I thought last
night he couldn't leave his reading?"

"Obliged to yield, like you, to the force of circumstances," said Pratt,
"and give way to our old friend's overwhelming hospitality. But you
needn't mind, Van, old fellow, I won't disgrace you. Look here," he
said, taking off his hat and speaking loudly, "new tile, fourteen bob--
couldn't afford a Lincoln and Bennett; brand-new gloves, two-and-three;
and I've ordered one of Samuel Brothers' tourist suits for the
occasion."

"My dear fellow," said the Captain, after a look of disgust at Sir
Felix, "I really do not want to know the extent of your wardrobe. In
fact, mine is at your service--my valet--er--I beg your pardon, Trevor."

"I say, don't take any notice of that solemn little humbug," said
Trevor, laughing; "you know what he always was. I--oh, my God!"

The exclamation was involuntary, for just at that moment a hansom cab
was driven sharply out of the turning leading to Saint James's Square,
the horse shied--Pratt afterwards swore it was at Vanleigh's eyes--and
in another instant would have stricken down a faded-looking woman, who
seemed to be crossing towards the club steps, but for the act of a
passer-by.

The act was as quick as thought. With a bound he caught the woman,
swung her round, and was struck by the horse full on the shoulder, to
reel for a few yards with his burden, and then roll over and over in the
muddy road.

The cabman pulled sharp up, and leapt off his perch with a face white as
ashes, in an instant, while Trevor and Pratt ran to the fallen pair--the
form