Lord John rejoicingly approved. "Absolutely the only way--with the least
self-respect--to treat it!"

Lady Sandgate, on the other hand, sounded a sceptical note. "But are you
sure it's so easy, Theign, to hush up a _real_ noise?"

"It ain't what I'd call a real one, Lady Sandgate," Mr. Bender said;
"you can generally distinguish a real one from the squeak of two
or three mice! But granted mice do affect you, Lord Theign, it will
interest me to hear what sort of a trap--by what you say--you propose to
set for them."

"You must allow me to measure, myself, Mr. Bender," his lordship
replied, "the importance of a gross freedom publicly used with my
absolutely personal proceedings and affairs; to the cause and origin
of any definite report of which--in such circles!--I'm afraid I rather
wonder if you yourself can't give me a clue."

It took Mr. Bender a minute to do justice to these stately remarks. "You
rather wonder if I've talked of how I feel about your detaining in your
hands my Beautiful Duchess----?"

"Oh, if you've already published her as 'yours'--with your _power_
of publication!" Lord Theign coldly laughed,--"of course I trace the
connection!"

Mr. Benders acceptance of responsibility clearly cost him no shade of
a pang. "Why, I haven't for quite a while talked of a blessed other
thing--and I'm capable of growing more profane over my _not_ getting her
than I guess any one would dare to be if I did."

"Well, you'll certainly not 'get' her, Mr. Bender," Lady Sandgate, as
for reasons of her own, bravely trumpeted; "and even if there were a
chance of it don't you see that your way wouldn't be publicly to abuse
our noble friend?"

Mr. Bender but beamed, in reply, upon that personage. "Oh, I guess
our noble friend knows I _have_ to talk big about big things. You
understand, sir, the scream of the eagle!"

"I'll forgive you," Lord Theign civilly returned, "all the big talk
you like if you'll now understand _me_. My retort to that hireling pack
shall be at once to dispose of a picture."

Mr. Bender rather failed to follow. "But that's what you wanted to do
before."

"Pardon me," said his lordship--"I make a difference. It's what you
wanted me to do."

The mystification, however, continued. "And you were _not_--as you
seemed then--willing?"

Lord Theign waived cross-questions. "Well, I'm willing _now_--that's all
that need concern us. Only, once more and for the last time," he added
with all authority,