he great uncle of the present
man, of course--of his temper," Lady Louisa proceeded, regardless of
ironical comment. "It amounted almost to mania. And yet Lady Dorothy
Hellard would certainly have married him. There never was any question
about it."

"Would she, though? Bad, old man, Sokeington. Never did approve of
Sokeington."

"Of course she would. Mrs. Crookenden, who always has been devoted to
her, told me so."

"Did she, though?" said Lord Fallowfeild. "But the marriage was broken
off, my dear."

He made this remark triumphantly, feeling it showed great acuteness.

"Oh, dear no! indeed it wasn't," his daughter replied. "Lord Sokeington
behaved in the most outrageous manner. At the last moment he never
proposed to her at all. And then it came out that for years he had been
living with one of the still-room maids."

"Louisa!" cried Lady Alicia, turning scarlet.

"Had he, though? The old scoundrel!"

"Papa," cried Lady Alicia.

"So he was, my dear. Very bad old man, Sokeington. Very amusing old man
too, though."

And, overcome by certain reminiscences, Lord Fallowfeild chuckled a
little, shamefacedly. His second daughter thereupon arranged the folds
of her mauve cashmere, with bent head.--"It is very clear papa and
Shotover have been together to-day," she thought. "Shotover's influence
over papa is always demoralising. It's too extraordinary the subjects
men joke about and call amusing when they get together."

A pause followed, a brief cessation of hostilities, during which Mr.
Quayle looked inquiringly at his three companions.

"Alicia fancies herself shocked," he said to himself, "and my father
fancies himself wicked, and Louisa fancies herself a chosen vessel.
Strong delusion is upon them all. The only question is whose delusion
is the strongest, and who, consequently, will first renew the fray? Ah!
the chosen vessel! I thought as much."

"You see, papa, one really must be practical," Lady Louisa began in
clear, emphatic tones. "We all know how you have spoiled Constance. She
and Shotover have always been your favourites. But even you must admit
that Shotover's wretched extravagance has impoverished you, and helped
to impoverish all your other children. And you must also admit,
notwithstanding your partiality for Constance, that----"

"I want to see Connie. I want to hear from herself that she"--broke out
Lord Fallowfeild. His kindly heart yearned over this ewe-lamb of his
large flock. But the