"Don't!" she said. "You are much more charming as you are."

They passed into the drawing-room.

"Are these things to be told?" she asked, with a little suggestion in her
voice.

"I can trust your discretion."

"Even in such circumstances?" she asked. She paused, with a motion of her
fan back towards the room they had left.

"You have taught him a lesson, Lady Lawless. It is rough on him; but he
needs it."

"I hope he will do nothing rash," she said.

"Perhaps he'll write some poetry, and refuse to consider his natural
appetite."

"Will you go and see him now?" she asked. "Immediately. Good night, Lady
Lawless." His big hand swallowed hers in a firm, friendly clasp, and he
shook it once or twice before he parted from her. He met Sir Duke Lawless
in the doorway. They greeted cheerfully, and then Lawless came up to his
wife.

"Well, my dear," he said, with an amused look in his face, "well, what
news?"