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“Miss Deser,” Jack answered ly “The ill not be made public for a month He cannot be imprisoned on mere rumours Actually,” he went on, “it’s you who can most expect to suffer in the ih to ht in his advice You ought to return to Scotland”

“Yes, hten all your beaux ahich, may I reainst publishing”

“Then ants such paltry fellows?” she retorted “I shall certainly not run away on their account—or on account of a lot of hypocritical fe up your daughter to be a coward I shall never desert you,” she concluded rather melodramatically

Melodrama or no, she had looked very fine, Jack reflected as he left the house so-headed, of course—but that hy he loved her

Mr Langdon paused, thunderstruck, as he reached the corner of the square Then he turned to stare at the house he had just left Loved her?

“‘Hoeet, how passing sweet, is solitude,’” quoted Mr Stoneham “But—to make a proper shambles of Cowper—do you mind a friend in your retreat?”

Jack shook himself out of his unhappy reveries to welcome the scholar Stoneham, at least, would not weary him with the current scandal

“It seeentledo publication of Desmond’s memoirs What is your opinion? Will the tales of Society’s excesses stir the mob to revolution?”

“It’s all idle gossip,” said Jack, for what must have been the hundredth time this afternoon “Desmond’s appearance in Town is a nine days’ wonder, and everyone is convinced he’s coeable daughter Naturally some fool has decided it must be a book of reminiscences and that fool tells another and soon the newspapers print it as solemn truth”

“So I had thought,” was the coatory discussion of Mr Des the other day”

Jack smiled “We’ve said all there is to be said, I think You ue until you are blue in the face, Stoneham, but you will never convince ’ the Bard”

Mr Stoneham promptly asserted that the issue was not i ladies read the work in diluted for put to the blush?” he asked, war to the debate

“Young ladies read whatever they please, in spite of their mamas and teachers To trick thenition is criminal”

“Bowdler doesn’t e of phrase there Thewould remain, but in more palatable form for the innocent”

“Dr Bowdler is a rain of ould write his oork instead of atteaze blankly at his companion

“Emendations merely,” Mr Stoneham insisted

“Emendations”

“Nothing don? Where are you going?” the scholar asked in some bewilderment, for his adversary had bolted up from his chair, a wild look in his eyes

“So sorry A thousand apologies,” Jack muttered “Just recollected an appointment”

With that, he was gone, leaving a rather affronted Mr Stoneham to stare after him

Chapter Fifteen