had finished his toilette, and walked into the other room.

The small, square table was spread with a white cloth, and a place was
set for one.

"But, my dear, won't you partake?" said Benjamin, eyeing the arrangement
of the table.

"I'm not hungry," the girl replied. "I'll watch the lion feed."

The little room was filled with the smell of cooked viands, and Tresco
seated himself in readiness to eat.

The smoking steak, garnished with fried onions and potatoes, was placed
before him.

"For what I am about to receive, my dear, I thank you." Gently squeezing
the ex-bar-maid's hand, he kissed it.

"Now, that'll do. You're getting giddy in your old age--it must be the
effect of the steak. Cupboard love, cupboard love!"

Tresco drew the cork of the big bottle, which he handed to Gentle Annie.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"You pour it out, my dear. It'll make it taste so much sweeter."

"You gay old deceiver: you're like the rest of them."

"No, my dear: they're imitation; I'm the genuine article."

Gentle Annie filled his tall glass deftly, so that the froth stood in a
dome over the liquor. She was about to replace the bottle on the table,
when Tresco took a tumbler from the dresser, and filled it for her.

"Keep me company," he said. "It looks more comfortable."

"But stout's so fattening."

"My dear, a lean woman is a reproach to her sex."

"Then, what's a fat one?"

"A credit, like I am to mine, or used to be before I got thin through
semi-starvation. Here's to your very good health; may your beauty never
grow less." Benjamin raised his glass to his lips.

"More flattery." Gentle Annie's comfortable laugh shook her whole body.
"I'm sorry I can't return the compliment."

"You do better: you supply the inner man--steak, done to a turn; stout;
sweet stuffs. You couldn't have treated me better, if I'd been a
bishop."

"Why a bishop?"

"I've looked round, and taken stock of my fellows; and I think a bishop
has a rousing good time, don't you?"

"I can't say; I don't often entertain bishops."

"Bishops and licensed victuallers; I think they get the cream of life."

"But what about lords and dukes?"

"They have to pay through the nose for all they get, but bishops and
landlords get all their good things chucked in gratuitous. Of course a
bishop's more toney, but a publican sees more of life--honours, meaning
good tucker and liquor, divided."

Tresco attacked the juicy steak: his satisfaction