in high good humour, "really
gives quite an Oriental look to the table. Personally, I think we might
reproduce the Arabian style of decoration and arrangement generally in
our homes with great advantage. I often wonder it never occurred to my
future son-in-law there to turn his talents in that direction and design
an Oriental interior for himself. Nothing more comfortable and
luxurious--for a bachelor's purposes."

"I'm sure," said his wife, "Horace managed to make himself quite
comfortable enough as it was. He has the most delightful rooms in
Vincent Square." Ventimore heard her remark to Sir Lawrence: "I shall
never forget the first time we dined there, just after my daughter and
he were engaged. I was quite astonished: everything was so
perfect--quite simple, you know, but _so_ ingeniously arranged, and his
landlady such an excellent cook, too! Still, of course, in many ways, it
will be nicer for him to have a home of his own."

"With such a beautiful and charming companion to share it with," said
Sir Lawrence, in his most florid manner, "the--ah--poorest home would
prove a Paradise indeed! And I suppose now, my dear young lady," he
added, raising his voice to address Sylvia, "you are busy making your
future abode as exquisite as taste and research can render it,
ransacking all the furniture shops in London for treasures, and going
about to auctions--or do you--ah--delegate that department to Mr.
Ventimore?"

"I do go about to old furniture shops, Sir Lawrence," she said, "but not
auctions. I'm afraid I should only get just the thing I didn't want if I
tried to bid.... And," she added, in a lower voice, turning to Horace,
"I don't believe _you_ would be a bit more successful, Horace!"

"What makes you say that, Sylvia?" he asked, with a start.

"Why, do you mean to say you've forgotten how you went to that auction
for papa, and came away without having managed to get a single thing?"
she said. "What a short memory you must have!"

There was only tender mockery in her eyes; absolutely no recollection of
the sinister purchase he had made at that sale, or how nearly it had
separated them for ever. So he hastened to admit that perhaps he had
_not_ been particularly successful at the auction in question.

Sir Lawrence next addressed him across the table. "I was just telling
Mrs. Futvoye," he said, "how much I regretted that I had not the
privilege of your acquaintance during my year of office. A Lord Mayor,
as yo