ht be as young as sixty-nine. Then the
epidemic of piety in high life too! Several of our millionaires gave
sixpence apiece to beggars--were seen to do it, don't you know. One old
girl gave up playing baccarat and subscribed to 'Darkest England.' No end
of sweet little women confessed their pretty weaknesses to their
husbands, and now that the world is wagging along as merrily as before,
they don't know what the devil they are to do---- But look here!"

Out of his trousers pockets at either side he tugged a torn and crumpled
assortment of letters and proceeded to tumble them on to the table.

"These are a few of the applications I had from curates-in-charge and
such beauties for the care of the living in Westminster while the other
gentleman lay in jail. It's the Bishop's right to appoint the creature,
don't you know, but they think a patron's recommendation---- Oh, they're a
sweet team! Listen to this: 'May it please your lordship----'"

And then in mock tones, flourishing one hand, the man read aloud amid the
various noises of the place--the pop of champagne bottles and the rumble
of the dancing in the room below--the fulsome letters he had received
from clergymen. The wretched women in their paint and patches shrieked
with laughter.

It was at that moment Drake came up, looking pale and fierce.

"Hello there! Is it you? Sit down and take a glass of fizz."

"Not at this table," said Drake. "I prefer to drink with friends."

Lord Robert's eyes glistened, and he tried to smile.

"Really? Thought I was counted in that distinguished company, don't you
know."

"So you were, but I've come to see that a friend who is not a friend is
always the worst enemy."

"What do you mean?"

"What does that mean?" said Drake, throwing the paper on to the table.

"Well, what of it?"

"The initials to that letter are yours, and all the men I meet tell me
that you have written it."

"They do, do they? Well?"

"I won't ask you if you did or if you didn't."

"Don't, dear boy."

"But I'll require you to disown it, publicly and at once."

"And if I won't--what then?"

"Then I'll tell the public for myself that it's a lie, a cowardly and
contemptible lie, and that the man who wrote it is a cur!"

"Oho! So it's like that, is it?" said Lord Robert, rising to his feet as
if putting himself on guard.

"Yes, it _is_ like that, Lord Robert Ure, because the woman who is
slandered in that letter is as innocent as your own wife,