“Will you try on the gloves again?” was Edward’s mild suggestion.

Algernon thanked him, and replied that he knew him.  Edward hit hard when he was empty.

They now affected patience, as far as silence went to make up an element of that sublime quality.  The chops arriving, they disdained the mask.  Algernon fired his glove just over the waiter’s head, and Edward put the ease to the man’s conscience; after which they sat and ate, talking little.  The difference between them was, that Edward knew the state of Algernon’s mind and what was working within it, while the latter stared at a blank wall as regarded Edward’s.

“Going out after breakfast, Ned?” said Algernon.  “We’ll walk to the city together, if you like.”

Edward fixed one of his intent looks upon his cousin.  “You’re not going to the city to-day?”

“The deuce, I’m not!”

“You’re going to dance attendance on Mrs. Lovell, whom it’s your pleasure to call Peggy, when you’re some leagues out of her hearing.”

Algernon failed to command his countenance.  He glanced at one of the portraits, and said, “Who is that girl up there?  Tell us her name.  Talking of Mrs. Lovell, has she ever seen it?”

“If you’ll put on your coat, my dear Algy, I will talk to you about Mrs. Lovell.”  Edward kept his penetrative eyes on Algernon.  “Listen to me:  you’ll get into a mess there.”

“If I must listen, Ned, I’ll listen in my shirt-sleeves, with all respect to the lady.”

“Very well.  The shirt-sleeves help the air of bravado.  Now, you know that I’ve what they call ‘knelt at her feet.’  She’s handsome.  Don’t cry out.  She’s dashing, and as near being a devil as any woman I ever met.  Do you know why we broke?  I’ll tell you.  Plainly, because I refused to believe that one of her men had insulted her.  You understand what that means.  I declined to be a chief party in a scandal.”

“Declined to fight the fellow?” interposed Algernon.  “More shame to you!”

“I think you’re a year younger than I am, Algy.  You have the privilege of speaking with that year’s simplicity.  Mrs. Lovell will play you as she played me.  I acknowledge her power, and I keep out of her way.  I don’t bet; I don’t care to waltz; I can’t keep horses; so I don’t lose much by the privation to which I subject myself.”

“I bet, I waltz, and I ride.  So,” said Algernon, “I should lose tremendously.”

“You will lose, mark my words.”

“Is the lecture of my year’s senior concluded?” said Algernon.

“Yes; I’ve done,” Edward answered.

“Then I’ll put on my coat, Ned, and I’ll smoke in it.  That’ll give you assurance I’m not going near Mrs. Lovell, if anything will.”

“That gives me assurance that Mrs. Lovell tolerates in you what she detests,” said Edward, relentless in his insight; “and, consequently, gives me assurance that she finds you of particular service to her at present.”