Thus proximate, they by and by both heard something very like a groan behind them, and looking round, beheld the Saurian eye.  Lady Blandish smiled, but the baronet’s discomposure was not to be concealed.  By a strange fatality every stage of their innocent loves was certain to have a human beholder.

“Oh, I’m sure I beg pardon,” Benson mumbled, arresting his head in a melancholy pendulosity.  He was ordered out of the room.

“And I think I shall follow him, and try to get forty winks,” said Lady Blandish.  They parted with a quiet squeeze of hands.

The baronet then called in Benson.

“Get me my breakfast as soon as you can,” he said, regardless of the aspect of injured conscience Benson sombrely presented to him.  “I am going to town early.  And, Benson,” he added, “you will also go to town this afternoon, or to-morrow, if it suits you, and take your book with you to Mr. Thompson.  You will not return here.  A provision will be made for you.  You can go.”

The heavy butler essayed to speak, but the tremendous blow and the baronet’s gesture choked him.  At the door he made another effort which shook the rolls of his loose skin pitiably.  An impatient signal sent him out dumb,—­and Raynham was quit of the one believer in the Great Shaddock dogma.

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

Although it blew hard when Caesar crossed the Rubicon
As when nations are secretly preparing for war
The world is wise in its way
The danger of a little knowledge of things is disputable
Wise in not seeking to be too wise
Yet, though Angels smile, shall not Devils laugh