u and I have posed rather
extensively on the exalted side of things so far, have strained at
gnats and finished up by swallowing a remarkably full-grown camel. This
whole business of my proposed marriage has been anything but graceful,
when looked at in the common-sense way in which most people, of
necessity, look at it. Lord Fallowfeild appealed to me against
myself--which appeared to me slightly humorous--as one man of the world
to another. That was an eye-opener. It was likewise a profitable
lesson. I promptly laid it to heart. And it is exclusively from the
point of view of the man of the world that I propose to regard myself,
and my circumstances, and my personal peculiarities, in future. So, to
begin with, if you please, from this time forth, we put aside all
question of marriage in my case. We don't make any more attempts to buy
innocent and well-bred, young girls, inviting them to condone my
obvious disabilities in consideration of my little title and my money."

Richard ceased to look at Lady Calmady. He looked away through the open
window into the serene sky of the summer night, a certain hunger in his
expression not altogether pleasant to witness.

"Fortunately," he continued, with something between a laugh and a
sneer, "there is a mighty army of women--always has been--who don't
come under the head of innocent, young girls, though some of them have
plenty of breeding of a kind. They attach no superstitious importance
to the marriage ceremony. My position and money may obtain me
consolations in their direction."

Lady Calmady ceased to require the cold support of the marble
mantelshelf.

"It is unnecessary for us to discuss that subject, at least, Richard,"
she said.

The young man turned his head again, looking full at her. And again the
distance that divided her from him became to her cruelly apparent,
while his strength begot in her a shrinking of fear.

"I am sorry," he replied, "but I can't agree with you there. It is
inevitable that we should differ in the future, and that you should
frequently disapprove. I can't expect you to emancipate yourself from
prejudice, as I am already emancipated. I am not sure I even wish that.
Still, whatever the future may bring forth, of this, my dear mother, I
am determined to make a clean breast to-night, so that you shall never
have cause to charge me with lack of frankness or of attempt to deceive
you."

Yet, at the moment, the poor mother's heart cried out t