be a piece of cardboard from the ground. He was about to fling it
to its owner, when he saw that it was a photograph. It was the
likeness of a girl, a very young girl apparently, for her hair was
still down her back and her dress was scarcely of the orthodox
length. It was not particularly well taken, but Trent had never
seen anything like it before. The lips were slightly parted, the
deep eyes were brimming with laughter, the pose was full of grace,
even though the girl's figure was angular. Trent had seen as much
as this, when he felt the smart of a sudden blow upon the cheek,
the picture was snatched from his hand, and Monty - his face
convulsed with anger - glowered fiercely upon him.

"You infernal young blackguard! You impertinent meddling blockhead!
How dare you presume to look at that photograph! How dare you, sir!
How dare you!"

Trent was too thoroughly astonished to resent either the blow or
the fierce words. He looked up into his aggressor's face in blank
surprise.

"I only looked at it," he muttered. "It was lying on the floor."

"Looked at it! You looked at it! Like your confounded impertinence,
sir! Who are you to look at her! If ever I catch you prying into
my concerns again, I'll shoot you - by Heaven I will!"

Trent laughed sullenly, and, having finished eating, lit his pipe.

"Your concerns are of no interest to me," he said shortly; "keep
'em to yourself - and look here, old 'un, keep your hands off me!