py light in Reanda's eyes which had been there when
he was sitting with Gloria in the corner of the Spanish artist's
drawing-room. Then Griggs understood and knew the truth, and guessed the
meaning of the unaccustomed pressure of the hand as Reanda greeted him
without speaking, and hurriedly went out.

Dalrymple had seen Griggs coming and was already calling to a man in a
spotless white jacket for another glass and more wine. The Scotchman's
bony face was haggard, but there was a little colour in his cheeks, and
he seemed pleased.

"Sit down, Griggs," he said. "There are no more chairs, so we can keep
the table to ourselves. I hope you are half as thirsty as I am."

"Rather more than half," answered the other, and he drank eagerly. "Give
me some more, please," he said, holding out his glass.

"I see that you are in the right humour to hear good news," said the
Scot. "Reanda is to marry my daughter in the summer."

"I congratulate you all three," said Griggs, slowly, for he had known
what was coming. "Let us drink the health of the couple."

"By all means," answered Dalrymple, filling again. "By all means let us
drink. I could not swallow that sweet stuff at Mendoza's. This is
better. By all means let us drink as much as we can."

"That might mean a good deal," said Griggs, quickly, and he drained a
third glass. "Were you ever drunk, Dalrymple?" he inquired gravely.

"No. I never was," answered the Scotchman.

"Nor I. This seems a fitting occasion for trying an experiment. We might
try to get drunk."

"By all means, let us try," replied Dalrymple. "I have my doubts about
the possibility of the thing, however."

"So have I."

They sat opposite to one another in silence for some minutes, each
satisfied that the other was in earnest. Dalrymple solemnly filled the
glasses and then leaned back in his chair.

"You did not seem much surprised by what I told you," he observed at
last. "I suppose you expected it."

"Yes. It seemed natural enough, though it is not always the natural
things that happen."

"I think they are suited to marry. Of course, Reanda is very much older,
but he is comparatively a young man still."

"Comparatively. He will make a better husband for having had experience,
I daresay."

"That depends on what experience he has had. When I first saw him I
thought he was in love with Donna Francesca. It would have been like an
artist. They are mostly fools. But I was mistaken. He worships at a