e sure he took his fill of laughter, he told the story to Ethel,
he complimented Barnes on his heroic self-denial; the joke of the
thundering big stick was nothing to it. Barnes Newcome laughed too; he
had plenty of humour, Barnes. "I think you might have whopped Jack when
he came out from his interview with the Dorkings," Kew said: "the poor
devil was so bewildered and weak, that Alfred might have thrashed him.
At other times you would find it more difficult, Barnes my man." Mr. B.
Newcome resumed his dignity; said a joke was a joke, and there was quite
enough of this one; which assertion we may be sure he conscientiously
made.

That meeting and parting between the old lovers passed with a great
deal of calm and propriety on both sides. Miss's parents of course were
present when Jack at their summons waited upon them and their daughter,
and made his hang-dog bow. My Lord Dorking said (poor Jack in the
anguish of his heart had poured out the story to Clive Newcome
afterwards), "Mr. Belsize, I have to apologise for words which I used
in my heat yesterday, and which I recall and regret, as I am sure you do
that there should have been any occasion for them."

Mr. Belsize looking at the carpet said he was very sorry.

Lady Dorking here remarked, that as Captain Belsize was now at Baden,
he might wish to hear from Lady Clara Pulleyn's own lips that the
engagement into which she had entered was formed by herself, certainly
with the consent and advice of her family. "Is it not so, my dear?"

Lady Clara said, "Yes, mamma," with a low curtsey.

"We have now to wish you good-bye, Charles Belsize," said my lord, with
some feeling. "As your relative, and your father's old friend, I wish
you well. I hope your future course in life may not be so unfortunate
as the past year. I request that we may part friends. Good-bye, Charles.
Clara, shake hands with Captain Belsize. My Lady Dorking, you will
please to give Charles your hand. You have known him since he was a
child; and--and--we are sorry to be obliged to part in this way." In
this wise Mr. Jack Belsize's tooth was finally extracted; and for the
moment we wish him and his brother-patient a good journey.

Little lynx-eyed Dr. Von Finck, who attends most of the polite company
at Baden, drove ceaselessly about the place that day, with the real
version of the fainting-fit story, about which we may be sure the wicked
and malicious, and the uninitiated, had a hundred absurd details.