firmly. "No earthly power will make me breathe that
unholy drug again."

"Except me," she murmured with sweet decision. "No, don't think about
leaving the house. You can't, there are no Sunday trains. Besides you
won't if I ask you not."

"'In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird,'" I replied, firm
as a mountain.

"Is it? Then why are so many caught?"

At that moment the Bull of Bashan--I mean Smith, began to bellow
something at his hostess from the other end of the table and our
conversation came to an end.

"I say, old chap," whispered Scroope in my ear when we stood up to see
the ladies out. "I suppose you are thinking of marrying again. Well, you
might do worse," and he glanced at the glittering form of Lady Ragnall
vanishing through the doorway behind her guests.

"Shut up, you idiot!" I replied indignantly.

"Why?" he asked with innocence. "Marriage is an honourable estate,
especially when there is lots of the latter. I remember saying something
of the sort to you years ago and at this table, when as it happened you
also took in her ladyship. Only there was George in the wind then; now
it has carried him away."

Without deigning any reply I seized my glass and went to sit down
between the canon and the Bull of Bashan.

CHAPTER III. ALLAN GIVES HIS WORD

Mr. Atterby-Smith proved on acquaintance to be even worse than unfond
fancy painted him. He was a gentleman in a way and of good family
whereof the real name was Atterby, the Smith having been added to secure
a moderate fortune left to him on that condition. His connection with
Lord Ragnall was not close and through the mother's side. For the
rest he lived in some south-coast watering-place and fancied himself a
sportsman because he had on various occasions hired a Scottish moor or
deer forest. Evidently he had never done anything nor earned a shilling
during all his life and was bringing his family up to follow in his
useless footsteps. The chief note of his character was that intolerable
vanity which so often marks men who have nothing whatsoever about which
to be vain. Also he had a great idea of his rights and what was due to
him, which he appeared to consider included, upon what ground I could
not in the least understand, the reversal of all the Ragnall properties
and wealth. I do not think I need say any more about him, except that he
bored me to extinction, especially after his fourth glass of port.

Perhaps, however, the son w