kindness--No more? Shall we have the coffee with the cigars in the
billiard room?"

The footmen escorted them through the billiard-room to the
smoking-room, only divided from it by a screen of Eastern fret-work
draped by costly hangings. There were inlaid tables and couches of
exquisite workmanship, and a Moresque cabinet, which the butler
unlocked and from which he took cigars and cigarettes.

Sir Stephen waved them to seats, and sank into a low chair with a sigh
of satisfaction and enjoyment. The footmen placed the exquisite
coffee-service of Limoges enamel on one of the tables, and, as they
left the room, Howard, as if he could not help himself, said:

"This is a veritable Aladdin's Palace, Sir Stephen! Though I can
imagine that fabulous erection cannot have been as comfortable as
this."

"I'm glad you like it," he said. "But do you like it?" he put in, with
a shrewd gleam in his eyes, which could be keen as well as brilliant
and genial. "I fancy you think it _too_ fine--eh, Stafford?" He laid
his hand on Stafford's knee with a somewhat appealing gesture and
glance. "I've seen a doubt on your face once or twice--and, by George!
you haven't seen half the place yet. Yes, Mr. Howard, I'll admit that
it is rather luxurious; that's the result of giving these new men
_carte-blanche_. They take you at your word, sir. I'll own up I was a
little surprised to-day; for I told them to build me a villa--but then
I wanted thirty or forty bedrooms, so I suppose they had to make it
rather large. It seemed to me that as it overlooks the lake it ought to
be after the style of those places one sees in Italy, and I hinted that
for the interior an Oriental style might be suitable; but I left them a
free hand, and if they've overdone it they ought to have known better.
I employed the men who were recommended to me."

There was a pause for a moment. Stafford tried to find some phrase
which would conceal his lack of appreciation; and his father, as if he
saw what was passing through Stafford's mind, went on quickly but
smoothly:

"Yes, I see. It _is_ too fine and ornamental. But I don't think you'll
find that the people who are coming here tomorrow will agree with you.
I may not know much about art and taste, but I know my world.
Stafford--Mr. Howard--I'll make a clean breast of it. I built this
place with an object. My dear sir, you won't think me guilty of
sticking it up to please Stafford here. I know his taste too well;
somethin