d his scrutiny with unabashed good temper.
"If I had not a deal of experience," said the President at last, "I
should turn you off. But I know the world; and this much any way, that
the most frivolous excuses for a suicide are often the toughest to stand
by. And when I downright like a man, as I do you, sir, I would rather
strain the regulation than deny him."
The Prince and the Colonel, one after the other, were subjected to a
long and particular interrogatory: the Prince alone; but Geraldine in
the presence of the Prince, so that the President might observe the
countenance of the one while the other was being warmly cross-examined.
The result was satisfactory; and the President, after having booked a
few details of each case, produced a form of oath to be accepted.
Nothing could be conceived more passive than the obedience promised, or
more stringent than the terms by which the juror bound himself. The man
who forfeited a pledge so awful could scarcely have a rag of honour or
any of the consolations of religion left to him. Florizel signed the
document, but not without a shudder; the Colonel followed his example
with an air of great depression. Then the President received the entry
money; and without more ado, introduced the two friends into the
smoking-room of the Suicide Club.
The smoking-room of the Suicide Club was the same height as the cabinet
into which it opened, but much larger, and papered from top to bottom
with an imitation of oak wainscot. A large and cheerful fire and a
number of gas-jets illuminated the company. The Prince and his follower
made the number up to eighteen. Most of the party were smoking, and
drinking champagne; a feverish hilarity reigned, with sudden and rather
ghastly pauses.
"Is this a full meeting?" asked the Prince.
"Middling," said the President.--"By the way," he added, "if you have
any money, it is usual to offer some champagne. It keeps up a good
spirit, and is one of my own little perquisites."
"Hammersmith," said Florizel, "I may leave the champagne to you."
And with that he turned away and began to go round among the guests.
Accustomed to play the host in the highest circles, he charmed and
dominated all whom he approached; there was something at once winning
and authoritative in his address; and his extraordinary coolness gave
him yet another distinction in this half-maniacal society. As he went
from one to another he kept both his eyes and ears open, and soon b
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