practical
jokes are dangerous things to play--Lord Langwathby--"

"Was he here?"

"He came last night, my Lord, to have a personal explanation about a
telegram he said you sent him as a practical joke, some time ago, taking
him up to Cumberland."

"I'll never play another," said Jones. "Tell them to bring me some
breakfast, and look here, Church, I've told my sister to leave the house
at once. I want no more of her here. See that her luggage is taken down
at once."

"Yes, my Lord."

"And see here, Church, let no one in. Lord Langwathby, or anyone else. I
want a little peace. By the way, have a taxi sent for, and tell me when
my sister's luggage is down."

In the middle of breakfast, Church came in to say that Miss Birdbrook
was departing and Jones came into the hall to verify the fact.

Venetia had brought a crocodile skin travelling bag and a trunk.

These were being conveyed to a taxi.

Not one word did she say to relieve her outraged feelings. The fear of a
"scene before the servants" kept her quiet.

CHAPTER XXXI

HE FINDS HIMSELF

That evening at nine o'clock, Jones sat in the smoking-room, writing. He
had trusted Church with an important mission on the upshot of which his
whole future depended.

If you will review his story, as he himself was reviewing it now, you
will see that, despite a strong will and a mind quick to act, the
freedom of his will had always been hampered by circumstance.

Circumstance from the first had determined that he should be a Lord.

I leave it to philosophers to determine what Circumstance is. I can only
say that from a fair knowledge of life, Circumstance seems to me more
than a fortuitous happening of things. Who does not know the man of
integrity and ability, the man destined for the Presidency or the
College chair, who remains in an office all his life? Luck is somehow
against him. Or the man who, starting in life with everything against
him, arrives, not by creeping, but by leaps and bounds.

I do not wish to cast a shade on individual effort; I only say this: If
you ever find Circumstance, whose other name is Fortune, feeling for you
in order to make you a lord, don't kick, for when Fortune takes an
interest in a man, she is cunning as a woman. She is a woman in fact.

At half past nine, a knock came to the door. It was opened by Church,
who ushered in Teresa, Countess of Rochester.

Jones rose from his chair, Church shut the door, and they found
the