“India of all countries in the world!” she culminated—­a desperate note invading her wrath.  “The one place where he should not be allowed to sow his wild oats—­if the modern anaemic young man has enough red blood in his veins—­for that sort of thing.  And it’s your obvious duty to be quite frank with him on the subject.  If you had an ounce of common-sense in your make-up, you’d see it for yourself.  But I always say the clever people are the biggest fools.  And Roy’s in the same boat—­being your son.  No ballast.  All in the clouds. That’s the fruits of Lil’s fancy education.  And you can’t say I didn’t warn you.  What he needs is discipline—­a tight hand.  Why not one of the Services?  If he gets bitten with India—­at his age, it’s quite on the cards that he may go turning Hindu—­or even repeat your folly——­”

She paused, simply for lack of breath—­and became suddenly alive to the set stillness of her brother’s face.

“My folly—­as you are pleased to call it,” he said with concentrated scorn, “has incidentally made our name famous, and cleared the old place of mortgage.  For that reason alone, you might have the grace to refrain from insulting my wife.”

She flung up her head, like a horse at a touch of the curb.

“Oh, if it’s an insult to speak the simple truth, I’m quite out of it.  I never could call spades agricultural instruments:  and I can’t start new habits at my time of life.  I don’t deny you’ve made a good thing out of your pictures.  But no one in their senses could call your marriage an act of wisdom.”

Nevil winced visibly.  “I married for the only defensible reason,” he said, in a low controlled voice.  “And events have more than justified me.”

“Possibly—­so far as you’re concerned.  But you can’t get over the fact that—­even if Roy marries the best blood of England—­his son may revert to type.  Dr Simons tells me——­”

“Will you hold your tongue!” Nevil blazed out, in a white fury.  “I’ll thank you not to discuss my affairs—­or Roy’s—­with your damned Doctor.  And the subject’s barred between us—­as you’re very well aware.”

She blenched at the force and fire of his unexpected onslaught, never dreaming how deeply her thrust had gone home.

“Goodness knows it’s as painful for me as it is for you——­”

“I didn’t say it was painful.  I said it was barred.”

“Well, you goad me into it, with your unspeakable folly; too much under Lil’s thumb to check Roy, even for his own good.  For heaven’s sake, Nevil, put your foot down firmly, for once, and reverse your crazy decision.”

He gave her a long, direct look.  “Sorry to disappoint, after all the trouble you’ve taken,” he said in a level tone, “but I’ve already told you the matter’s settled.  My foot is down on that as firmly as even you could wish.”

“You mean it?” she gasped, too incredulous for wrath.