good that
is in them and parade the bad."

"You love him still?" he said, wonderingly.

"Kingston, I do. If I were a brave woman I would risk everything.
Sometimes when I see him, like a Banquo at a feast, with his eyes full
of weariness and the mummy's smile upon his lips, I feel that I can keep
away no longer. Kingston, let us go to him, you and I. Let us see if we
can't tear off the mask."

He shook his head.

"He would laugh at us!"

"Will you try?"

He hesitated.

"No! But, Lady Caroom, you have no such debt of bitterness against him
as I have. I cannot advise you--I would not dare. But if there is a
spark of soul left in the man, such love as yours must fan it into
warmth. If you have the courage--risk it."

Brooks left without seeing Sybil again, and turned northward. In Pall
Mall he heard his name called from the steps of one of the great clubs.
He looked up and found Lord Arranmore leisurely descending.

"A word with you, Brooks," he said, coolly, "on a matter of business.
Will you step inside?"

Brooks hesitated. It was beginning to rain, and neither of them had
umbrellas.

"As you will," he answered. "I have an appointment in half-an-hour."

"I shall not detain you ten minutes," Lord Arranmore answered. "There
is a comfortable strangers' room here where we can chat. Will you have
anything?"

"Nothing to drink, thanks," Brooks answered. "A cigarette, if you are
going to smoke."

Lord Arranmore pushed his cigarette-case across the small round table
which stood between their easy-chairs. The room was empty.

"You will find these tolerable. I promised to be brief, did I not? I
wished to speak for a moment upon a subject which it seems to me might
require a readjustment of our financial relations."

Brooks looked up puzzled but made no remark.

"I refer to the possibility of your desiring to marry. Be so good as not
to interrupt me. I have seen you once or twice with Sybil Caroom, and
there has been a whisper--but after all that is of no consequence. The
name of the young lady would be no concern of mine. But in case you
should be contemplating anything of the sort, I thought it as well that
you should know what the usual family arrangements are."

"I am sorry," Brooks said, "but I really don't understand what you mean
by family arrangements."

"No!" Lord Arranmore remarked, softly. "Perhaps if you would allow me
to explain--it is your own time which is limited, you know. The eldest
son