"Nothing," I said firmly. "No earthly power will make me breathe that
unholy drug again."

"Except me," she murmured with sweet decision. "No, don't think about
leaving the house. You can't, there are no Sunday trains. Besides you
won't if I ask you not."

"'In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird,'" I replied,
firm as a mountain.

"Is it? Then why are so many caught?"

At that moment the Bull of Bashan--I mean Smith, began to bellow
something at his hostess from the other end of the table and our
conversation came to an end.

"I say, old chap," whispered Scroope in my ear when we stood up to see
the ladies out. "I suppose you are thinking of marrying again. Well,
you might do worse," and he glanced at the glittering form of Lady
Ragnall vanishing through the doorway behind her guests.

"Shut up, you idiot!" I replied indignantly.

"Why?" he asked with innocence. "Marriage is an honourable estate,
especially when there is lots of the latter. I remember saying
something of the sort to you years ago and at this table, when as it
happened you also took in her ladyship. Only there was George in the
wind then; now it has carried him away."

Without deigning any reply I seized my glass and went to sit down