here. Pratt, pass the
claret. Landells, try that port."

"Never drink port, dear boy," said the Baronet.

"Then let's go into the billiard-room; or what do you say, Van--would
you prefer my room and a rubber?"

"Don't much care for billiards to-night," said Vanleigh. "By the way,
though," he said, "will your estimable housekeeper permit smoking in the
dining-room."

"Oh, come, Van," said Sir Felix, "don't be hard on your host."

"Shall I ring for cigars, Dick?" said Pratt, reaching out his hand.

"Do, please," was the reply. "Smoke where you like, gentlemen, and make
yourselves at home. I don't want to be hard on the old people. You
see, it's a particular case. I've been away for years. I left a boy,
and they have had it all their own way. Oh, Lloyd, bring in the cigar
boxes, and brandy and soda."

"Here, sir?" said the butler, hesitating.

"Here? Yes, here directly," said Trevor; and he looked annoyed as he
caught a glance passing from Vanleigh to Sir Felix.

"It's all right, Dick," said Pratt. "It's a nice estate, but weedy.
Pull 'em up, one at a time."

"By the way, Van," said Sir Felix, "didn't tell Trevor of our 'venture."

"No," said Vanleigh, kicking at his friend beneath the table; "been so
taken up with other things. Brought home some neighbours of yours--
without leave--in the waggonette."

"Neighbours--without leave?" said Trevor, passing the claret. "We are
all ears."

"Some of us," muttered Pratt, glancing at Sir Felix, and then looking
perfectly innocent.

"Neighbours of yours--a Sir Hampton Court."

"No, no--Weir or Here, or name of that sort," said Sir Felix.

"Carriage broke down--two daughters--deuced fine girls, too."

"Vewy," said Sir Felix, arranging his gummy moustache.

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Trevor. "No one hurt?"

"Calm yourself, my friend," said Vanleigh, proceeding in a most
unruffled way. "The ladies were uninjured, and we--"

"Brought back--home," said Sir Felix, feebly.

"I'm heartily glad of it--I am, indeed," said Trevor, earnestly.
"Frank, old fellow, that will be an excuse for a call; and we can patch
up the encounter. We were both horribly hot."

"Fever heat?" said Pratt.

"Yes, and I daresay the old fellow's as sorry now as I am. I'll--Well,
Lloyd," he continued, as the butler came in, looking rather alarmed, and
rubbing his hands softly, "where are the cigars?"

"Mustn't smoke!" said Vanleigh, in a whisper to Sir Felix, but heard by