ssly selfish who is conscious of it," he answered,
smiling. "And, after all, it would not do for every one to be always
brooding upon the darker side of life."

"In another minute," Molyneux exclaimed, waking up with a start, "I
should have been asleep. Whatever have you two been talking about? It
was the most soothing hum I ever heard in my life."

"Mr. Brooks was telling me of some new phases of life," she answered.
"It is very interesting, even if it is a little sad."

Molyneux eyed them both for a moment in thoughtful silence.

"H'm!" he remarked. "Dinner is the next phase of life which will
interest me. Has the dressing-bell gone yet?"

"You gross person," she exclaimed. "You ate so much tea you had to go
to sleep."

"It was the exercise, he insisted.

"You have been standing about all day. I heard you ask for a place
without any walking, and where as few people as possible could see you
miss your birds."

"Your ears are a great deal too sharp," he said. "It was the wind,
then."

"Never mind what it was," she answered, laughing. "You can go to sleep
again if you like."

Molyneux put up his eyeglass and looked from one to the other. He saw
that Sybil's interest in her companion's conversation was not assumed,
and for the first time he appreciated Brooks' good looks. He shook off
his sleepiness at once and stood by Sybil's side.

"Have you been trying to convert Lady Sybil?" he asked.

"It is unnecessary," she answered, quickly. "Mr. Brooks and I are on
the same side."

He laughed softly and strolled away. Lord Arranmore was standing
thoughtfully before the marking-board. He laid his hand upon his arm.

"I say, Arranmore," he asked, "who the devil is Brooks?"

CHAPTER XII

MR. BULLSOM GIVES A DINNER-PARTY

"God bless my soul!" Mr. Bullsom exclaimed. "Listen to this." Mrs.
Bullsom, in a resplendent new dress, looking shinier and fatter than
ever, was prepared to listen to anything which might relieve the tension
of the moment. For it was the evening of the dinner-party, and within
ten minutes of the appointed time. Mr. Bullsom stood under the
incandescent light and read aloud "The shooting-party at Enton yesterday
consisted of the Marquis of Arranmore, the Hon. Sydney Molyneux, Mr.
Hennibul, K.C., and Mr. Kingston Brooks. Notwithstanding the high wind
an excellent bag was obtained."

"What! Our Mr. Kingston Brooks?" Selina exclaimed.

"It's Brooks, right enough," Mr. Bullsom exclaimed. "I