ling as could be conceived, he retired disconcerted from this
passage of arms. To be reminded that you are a pedagogue is difficult to
bear, especially an unsuccessful pedagogue, attempting to exert
authority which exists no longer. MTutor prided himself on being a man
of the world, but he retired a little with an involuntary sense of
offence from this easy setting down. He rose shortly after and took Jock
by the arm and led him away. "You are not smoking, which I am glad to
see--and shows your sense," he said. "Come out and have a breath of air
before we go upstairs. Can you imagine anything more detestable than
that little precocious _roue_, that washed-out little man-about-town,"
he added with some energy, as they stepped out of the open windows of
the library, left open in case the fine night should have seduced the
gentlemen on to the terrace to smoke their cigars. It was a lovely
spring night, soft and balmy, with a sensation of growth in the air, the
sky very clear, with airy white clouds all lit up by the moon. The quiet
and freshness gave to those who stepped into it a curious sensation of
superiority to the men whom they left in the warm brightly-lit room,
with its heavy atmosphere and artificial delights. It felt like a moral
atmosphere in contrast with the air all laden with human emanations,
smoke, and the careless talk of men. These two were perhaps somewhat
inclined to feel a superiority in any circumstances. They did so doubly
in these.

"He was always a little cad," said Jock.

"To hear a lady's name from his mouth is revolting," said Derwentwater.
"We are all too careless in that respect. I admire Madame di
Forno-Populo for keeping her--is it her daughter or niece?--out of the
way while that little animal is here."

"Oh, Bice would soon make him know his place," said Jock; "she is not
just like one of the girls that are civil, you know. She is not afraid
of telling you what she thinks of you. I know exactly how she'd look at
Montjoie." Jock permitted himself an abrupt laugh in the pleasure of
feeling that he knew her ways far better than any one. "She would soon
set him down--the little beast!--in his right place."

As they walked up and down the terrace their steps and voices were very
audible in the stillness of the night; and the windows were lighted in
the east wing, showing that the inhabitants were still up there and
about. While Jock spoke, one of these windows opened quite suddenly, and
for