darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant escorts
rushed precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in
with candles, but light was no sooner restored than the
guests who still remained at table rose, as if by general
consent, and left the dining-hall. Miss Paddington and Rayel
were the last to leave the table. When they had passed out
into the drawing-room her father came and took her arm,
bowing coldly to my cousin. It was evident that our presence
was no longer desired in the house of the Paddingtons. And
no wonder!

"Let us go," I said, proceeding to the coat room. The Count
met us on the way.

"You are a liar--a jackass!" he hissed into Rayel's ear.

Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly
night air and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue.
Neither of us spoke for some moments. Presently Rayel asked:

"What is a jackass?"

He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of
great moment.

"A man who always tells the truth in this world--he is a
jackass," I replied.

I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had
been through. Perhaps that is why my answer savored so