“Look here, Johnny,” said Cradell, as they got into one of the streets bordering on Burton Crescent, “you know the last thing in the world I should like to do would be to offend you.”

“All right, Caudle,” said Eames, going on, whereas his companion had shown a tendency towards stopping.

“Look here, now; if I have vexed you about Amelia Roper, I’ll make you a promise never to speak to her again.”

“D——­ Amelia Roper,” said Eames, suddenly stopping himself and stopping Cradell as well.  The exclamation was made in a deep angry voice which attracted the notice of one or two who were passing.  Johnny was very wrong,—­wrong to utter any curse,—­very wrong to ejaculate that curse against a human being; and especially wrong to fulminate it against a woman—­a woman whom he had professed to love!  But he did do so, and I cannot tell my story thoroughly without repeating the wicked word.

Cradell looked up at him and stared.  “I only meant to say,” said Cradell, “I’ll do anything you like in the matter.”

“Then never mention her name to me again.  And as to talking to her, you may talk to her till you’re both blue in the face, if you please.”

“Oh;—­I didn’t know.  You didn’t seem to like it the other day.”

“I was a fool the other day,—­a confounded fool.  And so I have been all my life.  Amelia Roper!  Look here, Caudle; if she makes up to you this evening, as I’ve no doubt she will, for she seems to be playing that game constantly now, just let her have her fling.  Never mind me; I’ll amuse myself with Mrs Lupex, or Miss Spruce.”

“But there’ll be the deuce to pay with Mrs Lupex.  She’s as cross as possible already whenever Amelia speaks to me.  You don’t know what a jealous woman is, Johnny.”  Cradell had got upon what he considered to be his high ground.  And on that he felt himself equal to any man.  It was no doubt true that Eames had thrashed a man, and that he had not; it was true also that Eames had risen to very high place in the social world, having become a private secretary; but for a dangerous, mysterious, overwhelming, life-enveloping intrigue—­was not he the acknowledged hero of such an affair?  He had paid very dearly, both in pocket and in comfort, for the blessing of Mrs Lupex’s society; but he hardly considered that he had paid too dearly.  There are certain luxuries which a man will find to be expensive; but, for all that, they may be worth their price.  Nevertheless as he went up the steps of Mrs Roper’s house he made up his mind that he would oblige his friend.  The intrigue might in that way become more mysterious, and more life-enveloping; whereas it would not become more dangerous, seeing that Mr Lupex could hardly find himself to be aggrieved by such a proceeding.

The whole number of Mrs Roper’s boarders were assembled at dinner that day.  Mr Lupex seldom joined that festive board, but on this occasion he was present, appearing from his voice and manner to be in high good-humour.  Cradell had communicated to the company in the drawing-room the great good fortune which had fallen upon his friend, and Johnny had thereby become the mark of a certain amount of hero-worship.