uld think that he might be a great comfort
to you in your old age."

In spite of the utmost efforts to prevent it, Miss Hartley began to
laugh. Mr. Vyner regarded her in pained astonishment.

"I didn't intend to be humorous," he said, with some severity. "I am
fond of children, and, unfortunately, I--I am childless."

He buried his face in his handkerchief, and, removing it after a decent
interval, found that his indignant hostess was preparing to quit the
room.

"Don't go," he said, hastily. "I haven't finished yet."

[Illustration: Don't go, he said, hastily 276]

"I haven't got time to stay and talk nonsense," said Joan.

"I'm not going to," said Robert, "but I want to speak to you. I have a
confession to make."

"Confession?"

Mr. Vyner nodded with sad acquiescence. "I deceived you grossly the
other day," he said, "and it has been worrying me ever since."

"It doesn't matter," said Joan, with a lively suspicion of his meaning.

"Pardon me," said Mr. Vyner, with solemn politeness, "if I say that it
does. I--I lied to you, and I have been miserable ever since."

Joan waited in indignant silence.

"I told you that I was married," said Mr. Vyner, in thrilling tones. "I
am not."

Miss Hartley, who had seated herself, rose suddenly with a fair show of
temper. "You said you were not going to talk nonsense!" she exclaimed.

"I am not," said the other, in surprise. "I am owning to a fault, making
a clean breast of my sins, not without a faint hope that I am setting an
example that will be beautifully and bountifully followed."

"I have really got too much to do to stay here listening to nonsense,"
said Miss Hartley, vigorously.

"I am a proud man," resumed Mr. Vyner, "and what it has cost me to
make this confession tongue cannot tell; but it is made, and I now, in
perfect confidence--almost perfect confidence--await yours."

"I don't understand you," said Joan, pausing, with her hand on the door.

"Having repudiated my dear wife," said Mr. Vyner, sternly, "I now ask,
nay, demand, that you repudiate Captain Trimblett--and all his works,"
he added, as ear-splitting screams sounded from outside.

"I wish----" began Joan, in a low voice.

"Yes?" said Robert, tenderly.

"That you would go."

Mr. Vyner started, and half rose to his feet. Then he thought better of
it.

"I thought at first that you meant it," he said, with a slight laugh.

"I do mean it," said Joan, breathing quickly.

Robert rose at