is debts, of all
that a settled income would mean to him, and his heart warmed with
gratitude toward his uncle.

"You are more than kind, sir," he said. "Your liberality takes my breath
away. What was the condition?"

The earl fidgeted a little in his chair.

"Look here, Drake," he said, "I've never worried you about your way of
life; I know that young men will be young men, and that you've lived in
a pretty fast set. That was your business and not mine, and as long as
you kept afloat I didn't choose to interfere. But I think it's time you
settled down; and I'll settle this money on you on condition that you do
settle down. You're engaged to a very nice girl--just you marry and
settle down, and I'll provide the means, as I say."

Drake looked straight before him. Had this offer been made a month
before he would have accepted it without a moment's hesitation, for he
had thought himself in love with Luce, and, more important, he had
thought that she had cared for him. But now all was changed. He knew
that if a hundred thousand a year were dependent upon marrying Luce he
couldn't accept it.

The earl stared at him, and filled another glass with the port, which
was a poison to him.

"Eh? What the devil do you mean? I say that if you'll settle down and
marry Luce I will provide a suitable income for you. What the blazes are
you hesitating about? Why--confound it!--aren't you satisfied? You don't
want to be told that I'm not bound to give you a penny!"

The old man's handsome face was growing red, and his eyes were beginning
to glitter; the port was doing its fell work.

"I know," said Drake, with a quietude which only made his uncle more
angry, "and I'm very much obliged to you. I know what ten thousand a
year means; but I'm afraid I can't fulfill the conditions."

"What the devil do you mean?" demanded the earl.

Drake smoked in silence for a moment or two. Most men would have said at
once that Lady Lucille Turfleigh had, on his change of prospects, jilted
him; but Drake had some old-world notions of honor in respect to women,
and he could not give Lady Luce away.

"I'm afraid I can't marry Luce," he said. "Our engagement is broken
off."

The earl swore a good old Tory oath.

"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" he said. "One of the nicest
girls I know, and--devoted to you. More devoted to you than you deserve.
And you don't mean to marry her? I suppose you've seen some one else?"

Drake grew hot, b