do indeed."

"Besides it's a bore. I couldn't go with Miss Bellairs to the theatre
to-night, because she said it would look too marked."

"Yes, and Mr. Ellerton said that if he dined here he might as well
announce our engagement from the statue of Strasburg."

John frowned, and Mary perceiving the bent of his thoughts ventured to
say, though with a timid air unusual to her:

"I think they're the least little bit inconsiderate, don't you,
John--after all we have done for them?"

"Well, I don't mind admitting that I do feel that. I do not consider
that Miss Bellairs quite appreciates the effort I have made."

Mary sighed.

"We mustn't expect too much of them, must we?" she asked.

"I suppose not," John conceded; but he still frowned.

When we consider how simple the elements of perfect happiness appear to
be, regarded in the abstract, it becomes surprising to think how
difficult it is to attain them in the concrete. A kind magician may
grant us all we ask, may transport us whither we would go, dower us
with all we lack, bring to us one desired companion after another, but
something is wrong. We have a toothache, or in spite of our rich
curtains there's a draught, or the loved one haps not to be at the
moment congenial: and we pitifully pray the wizard to wave his wand
again. Would any magician wave his for these four troublesome folk? It
must be admitted that they hardly deserved it.

Nevertheless a magician was at work, and, with the expiration of the
next night, his train was laid. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon of
Friday, Roger Deane had a final interview with the still hesitating
Painter.

"But if the police should come, Sir Roger?" urged the fearful man.

"Why, you'll look a fool, that's all. Isn't the figure high enough?"

"Most liberal, Sir Roger, but--but it will alarm my wife."

"If you come to that, it'll alarm my wife."

"Very true, Sir Roger." Painter seemed to derive some comfort from this
indirect community of feeling with the aristocracy.

"It'll alarm everybody, I hope. That's what it's for. Now mind--2.30
sharp--and when the coffee's been in ten minutes. Not before! I must
have time for coffee."

"Very good, Sir Roger."

"Is the ladder ready?"

"Yes, Sir Roger."

"And the what's-its-name?"

"Quite ready, Sir Roger."

"Let's see it."

It was inspected and pronounced satisfactory. Then Roger Deane set out
to return to his hotel, murmuring contentedly:

"If that don't make