"And you'd better make it singular number, Brimberly."

"Certingly, sir, much obliged, sir! Will you be wanting me again, sir?"

"Not again, Brimberly."

"Then good night, sir--thank you, sir!" And Mr. Brimberly went softly
forth and closed the door noiselessly behind him.

Being alone, Mr. Ravenslee switched off the lights and sat in the
fire-glow.

"Feminine gender, singular number, objective case, governed by the
verb--to love--I wonder!"

And he laughed a little bitterly (and very youthfully) as he stared down
into the dying fire.




CHAPTER III

HOW GEOFFREY RAVENSLEE WENT SEEKING AN OBJECT


A clock in the hall without struck midnight, but Mr. Ravenslee sat there
long after the silvery chime had died away, his chin sunk upon his broad
chest, his sombre eyes staring blindly at the fading embers, lost in
profound and gloomy meditation. But, all at once, he started and glanced