my eyes and told me that
they were just like her mother's, and that there was a light coming into
them which she always used to see in hers when she was starting on one
of her drinking bouts.

"Then she told me point blank that I'd had enough and said that she
wouldn't drink another glass of fizz for a thousand pounds. We wound up
with a coffee and liqueur, and afterwards when we came out I felt an
almost irresistible craving for a brandy and soda, but I also felt
convinced that if I took one I should go on all night.

"Still, somehow, what Miss Carol had been saying, although it hadn't
exactly frightened me, certainly stopped me going into the Criterion and
having one; besides, she was with me still, and I knew if I asked her
she'd say 'No,' and somehow I daren't leave her and go in by myself. So
as she lives out Brook Green way, we got into a cab and drove home.
And, would you believe it, she wouldn't even give me a kiss when we said
good-night. She is a most extraordinary girl, I can quite imagine any
fellow falling really and honestly in love with her."

While Vane was telling his story, his father had sat motionless, staring
hard into the fireplace. He had apparently taken not the slightest
interest in what he was saying. He had never once looked up, but as the
story went on his face had grown greyer and greyer, and the lines in it
harder and deeper, and every now and then the hand on which his cheek
was leaning had trembled a little.

When Vane stopped speaking he looked up with a start, like a man waking
out of an evil dream, and said in a husky, unsteady voice, which was
quite strange to Vane:

"It is quite possible, my boy, that this girl, whatever else she may be,
was really your guardian angel to-night. At your age, a craving for
drink is a very terrible thing, and you must exert the whole strength of
your nature to conquer it. You must fight against it and pray against it
as you would against the worst of sins. You have a splendid career
before you, but drink would ruin it and you. Still, we won't talk any
more about this to-night. I am not feeling particularly well. I went
round to dine with Raleigh, in Addison Gardens, to-night--by the way,
Enid's coming back in a few days--and perhaps I caught a little chill
walking home. I think I'd better turn in."

As he said this he took up the whiskey and soda and drained it, and Vane
heard his teeth clink against the edge of the glass.

"And I think it's tim