‘I am in great trouble,’ said John Eames.

‘And what is your trouble?’

’It is essential for the honour of one of my family that I should be at Florence by this day week.  I cannot make up my mind what I ought to do.  I do not wish to lose my position in the public service, to which, as you know, I am warmly attached; but I cannot submit to see the honour of my family sacrificed!’

‘Eames,’ said Sir Raffle, ’that must be nonsense;—­that must be nonsense.  There can be no reason why you should always expect to have your own way in everything.’

‘Of course if I go without leave I shall be dismissed.’

’Of course you will.  It is out of the question that a young man should take the bit between his teeth in that way.’

’As for taking the bit between his teeth, Sir Raffle, I do not think that any man was ever more obedient, perhaps I should say more submissive, than I have been.  But there must be a limit to everything.’

‘What do you mean by that, Mr Eames?’ said Sir Raffle, turning in anger upon his private secretary.  But Johnny disregarded his anger.  Johnny, indeed, had made up his mind that Sir Raffle should be very angry.  ’What do you mean, Mr Eames, by saying that there must be a limit?  I know nothing about limits.  One would suppose you intended to make an accusation against me.’

’So I do.  I think, Sir Raffle, that you are treating me with great cruelty.  I have explained to you my family circumstances—­’

‘You have explained nothing, Mr Eames.’

’Yes, I have, Sir Raffle.  I have explained to you that matters relating to one of my family, which materially affect the honour of a certain one of its members, demand that I should go at once to Florence.  You tell me that if I go I shall be dismissed.’

’Of course you must not go without leave.  I never heard of such a thing in my life.’  And Sir Raffle lifted his hands towards heaven, almost in dismay.

’So I have drawn up a short statement of the circumstances, which I hope may be read at the Board when the question of my dismissal comes before it.’

‘You mean to go, then?’

’Yes, Sir Raffle; I must go.  The honour of a certain branch of my family demands that I should do so.  As I have for some time been so especially under you, I thought it would be proper to show you what I have said before I send my letter in, and therefore I have brought it with me.  Here it is.’  And Johnny handed to Sir Raffle an official document of large dimensions.

Sir Raffle began to be uncomfortable.  He had acquired a character for tyranny in the public service of which he was aware, though he thought that he knew well that he had never deserved it.  Some official big-wig—­perhaps that Chancellor of the Exchequer of whom he was so fond—­had on one occasion hinted to him that a little softness of usage would be compatible with the prejudices of the age.