caution, an' he's just the easy-goin' reckless sort that Sebastian
makes cats'-paws of."

"'Sh!" said Dolly, for Mostyn was quite near He was smoking an after-
supper cigar.

"Got the mate to that?" Webb asked easily. "I don't like to see fine
tobacco-smoke floatin' about in hot weather unless I'm helpin' to make
it."

Mostyn gave him a cigar. "What is this I hear Of your club-meeting to-
night?" he asked, smiling at Dolly.

"It is an impromptu affair," she answered, almost reluctantly. Then
she began to smile, and her color rose. "The truth is, the whole thing
started as a joke on me. I could have backed down if I had wished, but
I didn't, and now it is too late."

"You'll think it's too late"--Webb was drawing at his cigar, which he
held against the fire of Mostyn's--"when them fellers git through
arguin', an' you the only one on your side!"

"How is that?" Mostyn asked, wonderingly.

Dolly averted her eyes. "Why," she explained, "for a long time the
club has threatened to select some subject to be discussed only
between Warren Wilks and myself. I didn't think much about it at the
time and said it would suit me, thinking, of course, that it would
only be heard by a few club-members, but now what do you think they
have done?"