They were growing less and less able to control their actions, and I
was not sorry when the time arrived for the ladies to retire, which
they did rather earlier than they had intended doing, owing to a
sudden display of ill-temper on the part of DIANA of the Crossways.
They all withdrew, with the exception of the Princess, who, alleging
that it was a Russian custom, remained with us, smoking, and drinking
kümmel out of a Samovar. Immediately upon the departure of the ladies,
ROBERT ELSMERE resumed his argument.

"I have not," he said, in a low tone, "rooted up the most sacred
growths of life as a careless child devastates his garden."

"I have never yet heard of a DURRISDEER who was a turn-coat or a spy,"
remarked the MASTER of BALLANTREE, casually.

"Ah! but that is another story," objected Colonel GADSBY, stroking his
long moustache.

"I can believe anything," said DORIAN GRAY, "as long as it is quite
incredible."

"Oh! Then you'd believe that story old BATT, the fisherman, told us
about the pike at Goring!" said one of the trio, with a contemptuous
laugh.

And here we come to the unfortunate incident which broke up our party.
I shall always blame the Princess for this. If she had gone to the
drawing-room with the other ladies, it would never have happened. It
appears that she considered herself insulted by a remark of DORIAN's,
which I thought innocent enough. I think it was, that "All Art is