"Easily," Lord Henry said laconically, without turning his head.

"He is sober--the others are drunk. It is an unequal contest."

Verey grinned.

"You look as though you could do with a drink yourself.

Harry! You're uncommon serious tonight! Is it love or business that prompts such severity? " Lord Henry smiled reluctantly.

"A little of both, perhaps... Mr Dit ton is losing heavily," he added with apparent irrelevance, nodding towards a table where a dandy clad entirely in yellow was slumped in his chair, scowling ferociously at the cards in his hand.

Verey was no fool and he knew more than most about Lord Henry's preoccupations.

"Dit ton has always been intemperate in his habits," he observed quietly, 'but lately. " "Yes, he plays too deep--' Lord Henry broke off to greet an acquaintance and turned away from the card tables, moving to a quieter corner.

"Another one for whom matters do not prosper," Verey said, watching Peter Sea grave weaving his way a little unsteadily between the tables.

"Extraordinary, I always thought him the most straightforward of the family!

Nick Sea grave was the very devil for gambling and women before his marriage and now he's as quiet as a lamb and it's Peter who has lost fifty thousand in one sitting!"

Lord Henry winced.

"As bad as that?" he asked. "And in one of Lady Bolt's preferred gaming h.e.l.ls, I have no doubt!"

Verey shrugged.

"She has her claws into him now, for all she's after Gars ton's fortune as well! He would have done better to settle for that sweet little Miss Mark ham!"

"In praise of marriage, Simon?" Lord Henry said mockingly.

"You have become quite the old married man yourself these two years past!"

Verey grinned a little self-consciously.

"I'll not deny that I count myself the most fortunate of men to have found Therese," he said, a little gruffly.

"I am only here tonight because my sister Jane is up from the country and the two of them sent me out so that they could have agossip in peace!"

"How does the d.u.c.h.ess?" Henry asked lightly, smiling as always to think of Jane Verey with so weighty a t.i.tle. Her brother laughed.

"She does very well, I thank you! I shall pa.s.s on your regards! I doubt she will be in Town for long, for Delahaye returns from the continent shortly and will no doubt be in haste to claim his wife! Ah, these tales of married bliss! One might almost consider it fashionable to dote on one's spouse these days!"

Henry took a gla.s.s of wine proffered by a pa.s.sing waiter.

"Almost you convince me, Simon!"

"You? Parson's mousetrap?" Verey looked almost comically surprised.

"Do I know the lady?"

"You should do," Henry murmured.

"She is the only one I have ever evinced an interest in marrying!"

Verey spluttered into his wine.

"But...! presume you mean... But that was five years ago, old fellow!

Mean to say, I thought it was a thing of the past!"

"So it was, but not any more."

"Well!" Verey sat down a little heavily.

"Am I to wish you happy, then?"

"Not yet." Lord Henry's gaze returned thoughtfully to the slouching figure of Tristan Dit ton.

"Certain business is getting in the way. When it concludes..."

There was a crash from across the room as Peter Sea grave tried to take his place at a faro table, clutched unsteadily at his chair and succeeded only in overturning it and drawing attention to himself.

"Hope she has more steadiness of character than her brother," Verey said gloomily.

Lord Henry grinned.

"Oh, decidedly! And it may be unchivalrous in me to say so, but she holds her drink with a great deal more charm!"

Chapter Five.

QzrfpsQ.

It will not be long before Mama warns me," Polly said gloomily as she and Lucille strolled along Bond Street in search of items for Lucille's belated wedding trip.

"Oh, look, Lucille, those satin dancing slippers are the most exquisite things! Why do you not take those with you?"

"I fear they will see little wear in the Lake District," Lucille observed mildly.

"A pair of stout walking boots would be more the thing!"

"And a parasol to keep the sun off! Mama would consider it deplorable for you to return with a tan!"

Lucille laughed.

"A fine figure I shall cut in boots and a parasol! Why do you not buy the slippers yourself?"

But Polly's gaze had alighted on an embroidered reticule which would look perfect with her striped walking dress.