add to his humiliation by their commiseration. On the other side, the
congratulations offered Maitland were for the most part lacking in the
spontaneity that is supposed to be proper to such a smashing victory.
Some of his friends seemed to feel as if they had been called upon to
witness an unworthy thing. Not so, however, with either Frances Amory or
Sidney Templeton. Both greeted Captain Jack with enthusiasm and warmth,
openly and freely rejoicing in his victory.

"By Jove, Maitland, that was tremendous, appalling, eh, what?"

"I meant it to be so," said Maitland grimly, "else I should not have
played with him."

"It was coming to him," said Frances. "I am simply completely
delighted."

"Can I give you a lift home, Frances?" said Maitland. "Let us get away.
You, too, Templeton," he added to Sidney, who was lingering near the
young lady in obvious unwillingness to leave her side.

"Oh, thanks! Sure you have room?" he said. "All right. You know my
cousin left me in your care."

"Oh, indeed! Well, come along then, since our hero is so good. Really, I
am uplifted to quite an unusual height of glorious exultation."

"Don't rub it in, Frank," said Jack gloomily. "I made an ass of myself,
I know quite well."

"What rot, Jack. Every one of your friends was tickled to death."