at's no good," said Douglas, with emphasis. "For God's sake, father,
don't begin again."

Sir Arthur nodded silently, and Douglas left the room.

His father remained sitting where his son had left him, his fingers
drumming absently on the arms of his chair, his half-shut eyes wandering
over the splendid garden outside, with its statues and fountains, and
its masses of roses, all fused in the late evening glow.

The door opened softly. His wife came in.

Lady Laura had lost her old careless good humour. Her fair complexion
had changed for the worse; there were lines in her white forehead, and
all her movements had grown nervous and irritable. But her expression as
she stood by her husband was one of anxious though rather childish
affection.

"How are you, Arthur? Did you get a nap?"

"A beauty!" said her husband, smiling at her, and taking her hand. "I
dreamt about Raby, and the first time I saw you there in the old Duke's
day. What a pretty thing you were, Laura!--like a monthly rose,
all pink."

He patted her hand; Lady Laura shrugged her shoulders rather pettishly.

"It's no good thinking about that now.... You're not really going to
have a shooting-party, Arthur? I do wish you wouldn't!"

"But of course I am!" said her husband, raising himself with alacrity.
"The grouse must be shot, and the estate is not sold yet! I've asked
young Meyrick, and Lord Charles, and Robert Vere. You can ask the
Charlevilles, dear, and if my lady doesn't come I shan't break my heart.
Then there are five or six of the neighbours of course. And no whining
and whimpering! The last shoot at Flood shall be a good one! The keeper
tells me the birds are splendid!"

Lady Laura's lips trembled.

"You forget what Duggy and I shall be feeling all the time, Arthur. It's
very hard on us."

"No--nonsense!" The voice was good-humouredly impatient. "Take it
calmly, dear. What do places matter? Come to the Andes with me. Duggy
must work for his fellowship; Nelly can stay with some of our relations;
and we can send the children to school. Or what do you say to a winter
in California? Let's have a second honeymoon--see something of the world
before we die. This English country gentleman business ties one
terribly. Life in one's own house is so jolly one doesn't want anything
else. But now, if we're going to be uprooted, let's enjoy it!"

"Enjoy it!" repeated his wife bitterly. "How can you say such things,
Arthur?"

She walked to the windo