g Mr. Fullarton's conduct totally
indefensible. It would have been so easy to have communicated his
intelligence to any that it might concern, discreetly, at a fitting
place and time, instead of casting it into the midst of a convivial
assembly like a fulminating ball. Under other circumstances, he would
probably have taken the quieter course; but he had been smarting for
some time under a succession of provocations, real and fancied, from
Royston Keene, and his own misadventure that morning had filled the cup
of irritation brimful. It was the old exasperating feeling--

Earl Percy sees my fall.

Whatever might be the cost, he could not make up his mind to let slip so
fair a chance of embarrassing his imperturbable enemy. There is no
saying what he would have given to see that marvelous self-command for
once thoroughly break down. It is unfortunate that the best-laid plans
can not always insure a triumph. The chaplain certainly did succeed in
producing a "situation," and in reducing most of the party to that
uncomfortable frame of mind which is popularly described as "wishing
one's self any where;" but the person who seemed most completely
unconcerned was the man at whom the blow was leveled.

The major shook his head with a quick gesture of impatience, just as if
some insect had lighted on his forehead; beyond this, for any evidence
of his being annoyed by it, Mr. Fullarton's last remark might have
related to missionary prospects or Chinese politics. The steady color on
his swarthy face neither lost nor gained a shade. There was not a sign
of anger, or shame, or confusion in his clear, bold eyes; and, when he
answered, there was not one fresh furrow on the brow that, at lighter
provocation, was so apt to frown.

"I give you credit for being utterly ignorant of what you are talking
about, Mr. Fullarton. You could not possibly guess how disagreeable the
subject would be to me. As it can't be in the least interesting to any
one else, suppose we change it?"

Just the same cold, measured voice as ever, with only a slight sarcastic
inflection to vary the deep, grave tones; but a very close observer
might have seen his fingers clench the handle of a knife while he was
speaking, as if their gripe would have dinted the ivory.

It was hardly to be expected that the rest of the party would emulate
the _sang-froid_ of the Cool Captain. Sailing under false colors is a
convenient practice enough, and productive sometimes of