eauty, as she sat at the glass, Valerie French might
have felt very proud. But, if we pry into her mind, it will be seen
that her thoughts were otherwise occupied. Indeed, the fixing of her
hair--usually so simple a matter--was making her knit her brow. The
fact that the soft dark tresses had been washed that morning made them
unruly. In vain the pointed fingers strove to secure and order them to
their mistress's liking....

At length, with a sigh, she brought her hands to her lap.

Then she made a mouth at the reflection of her labours.

"I look like his Sealyham," she said.

* * * * *

It was on Monday morning that Lord Pomfret suggested to Lyveden the
propriety of putting a pound each way on Slip Along.

"I don't suppose the swine's any good," said his lordship moodily.
"But he'll probably start at twenty, so I may as well have a dart. I
forget who told me about him."

"Very good, my lord," said Anthony.

To receive this commission, he had been summoned from the drawing-room,
whose floor he was engaged in leathering to the requisite degree of
lustre. He had had to remove an apron, turn down his sleeves, and put
on his plum-coloured coat. So soon as his lordship, who was yet at
breakfast, released him, he would reverse the procedure and return to
his floor.

Lord Pomfret peered muttering into his cigarette case. Then he plucked
out a ten-shilling note and flicked it across the tablecloth.

"That's all I appear to have," he said sulkily. "I'll have to owe you
the thirty shillings."

Anthony braced himself.

"I'm afraid I haven't any money at all, my lord."

The other looked up sharply.

"What? ... Oh, nonsense, Lyveden."

Anthony said nothing. He was not anxious to repeat the lie, but he was
determined not to lend to Lord Pomfret. That the loan would lose
itself was much too probable, and the construction of his slender
resources would not stand such a strain.

"Of course you've got thirty shillings. But you don't like parting."
Lord Pomfret laughed rather nastily. "I'll pay you back, man, if
that's your trouble."

"I haven't the money, my lord."

The youth stared at Anthony furiously. Then--

"Oh, go to hell!" he said thickly.

Anthony picked up the note and placed it beside his lordship. Then he
left the room and returned to his work.

Lord Pomfret was exceedingly wrath. In fact, he brooded over the
incident. This augured ill for Anthony. The co