e."

Against his will, while he listened, the unscrupulous valor of the man
stirred Tabs to admiration. Only the after-event could prove whether
this verbal display of fireworks was only bombast. "And so that's your
ultimatum?" he asked with disquieting sanity.

"Yes, if that's what you call it."

The waiter had returned with the receipted bill. Braithwaite was picking
up the change. Not looking at Tabs he said, "A few minutes ago you were
consulting your watch. I believe you have an engagement."

"I have. But if we can arrive at any more definite conclusion by talking
longer, I'll skip it. It's of no importance."

Braithwaite glanced up. "Not to you, perhaps; but it may be to her."

With that he commenced to lead the way out, choosing a winding path
through the maze of tables. Not until they were traversing the great
gold and crimson lounge, with its ornate furnishings, did Tabs catch up
with him to ask his question. "How did you know about my engagement and
whether it was important or not?"

Braithwaite answered carelessly, "It's with Maisie, isn't it? I heard
Terry suggest to her that she should make it. She's a nice little woman.
I shouldn't like to be the cause of her disappointment. She was looking
forward----" The rest was lost as a flunkey requested the registered
number of whatever Tabs had left in the cloak-room.

While they waited for the hat and cane to be produced, Tabs made a last
attempt to persuade the General to commit himself to some promised
course of action. "No one would be more pleased to see you succeed than
myself. I'm not trying to hamper you. Neither is Terry; but she insists
that unless things are to terminate between you, she must know the
truth. Frankness with Terry necessitates frankness with Ann. You'll
never succeed, however great your courage, unless you start with your
honor solvent. Ann's beneath you, you say--that's why you've outgrown
her. It's not my business to dispute the fact. I didn't want to
introduce the class view of things; but, by the same showing, you're
beneath Terry. She's young to-day: through a lifetime she might outgrow
_you_. She's as much your social superior as you claim to be Ann's.
You've discarded Ann on the ground of inequality of rank. In your case
Terry's family have a perfect right to raise the same objection."

"Not at all." The answer came like the crack of a whip. Braithwaite drew
himself up with the pride of one who had moved men like pawns acro