and eager to adventure life and limb for the
bright eyes of their fair ladies, surely we, in like manner, should be
equally willing to risk our---hem! our--I say to risk our----"

"Stomachs!" suggested Alvaston, "my own 'pinion precisely! Stomach's
only stomach but th' heart's a noble organ--seat o' the 'flections and
all that sort o' thing. Which reminds me, not a single ace have I held
this game."

"But--split me! Why rhubarb?" demanded the Captain, "Why endeavour t'
poison poor Ben? O burn me!"

"'Twas a woman's notion," explained Sir Jasper, "a whim, a fancy. The
whole sex, dear creatures, be full of 'em, 'tis what makes 'em so
infinite captivating----"

"Not," enquired the Captain, "not rhubarb----"

"No, no--'tis the mystery of 'em--the wonder of their changing moods
that makes women so alluring and Bet the most bewitching of 'em all.
By Venus, she's elusive as a sunbeam, mysterious as fate, changeable
as----"

"Begad," exclaimed the Marquis, "and that's the dem'd truth--that's
Betty to a T and that's how I'm coming continual croppers--if she were
only a little more like a horse or a dog I should know what to expect
and how to treat her----"

"I suggest--precisely the same," smiled Mr. Dalroyd, "and horses one
spurs and dogs one whips and my lady would be better for a little of
both. Women should be managed, they expect it and they love the strong
hand!"

Sir Benjamin gaped, the Captain stared, Sir Jasper rolled his eyes and
Mr. Marchdale, furrowing youthful brow, spoke:

"As a man of the world I vow there's wisdom in't. The lovely creatures
look for strength in a man--mastery, d'ye see, though a whip----"

"Od sir," ejaculated Sir Benjamin, "'tis rank heresy!"

"Pure savagery!" gasped Sir Jasper.

"Precisely my own 'pinion!" murmured Lord Alvaston. "For if a dog's a
dog he's only a dam dog--'sequently whip him when needful. Same with a
horse. But a woman being a woman ain't a dog nor a horse, therefore
since she is a woman 'stead of whipping, worship----"

"Talking o' whips," said the Marquis, "I should devoutly and vastly
desire to see some masterful ass attempt to horsewhip Bet, 'twould be a
sight for the gods--she has all her brother's fire and spirit with a
cleverer head."

"None the less, Alton," retorted Mr. Dalroyd, "the man who wins her
will be the man who masters her."

"No, no, Dalroyd," exclaimed Sir Jasper soulfully, "who shall master a
goddess? Who but the humblest of h