At Love's Cost

Stafford nodded. "Oh, yes, you told me about it. It's a very big

thing, I daresay, but what puzzles me is why the governor should care

to worry about it. He has money enough--"

"No man has money enough," said Howard, solemnly. "But no matter. It is

a waste of time to discuss philosophy with a man who has no mind above

fox-hunting, fishing, pheasant-shooting, and dancing. By the way, how

many times do you intend to dance with the Grecian goddess?"

"Meaning--" said Stafford.

"Miss Falconer, of course. Grecian goddesses are not so common, my dear

Stafford, as to permit of more than one in a house-party."

"I'm sure I don't know," replied Stafford, eyeing him with faint

surprise. "What the devil made you ask me that?"

Howard eyed the handsome face with cynical amusement.

"Pardon, if I was impertinent; but I assure you the question is being

asked amongst themselves by all the women in the house--"

Stafford stared at him and began to frown with perplexity rather than

anger.

"My dear Stafford, I know that you are not possessed of a particularly

brilliant intellect, but you surely possess sufficient intelligence to

see that your attentions to Miss Falconer are somewhat obvious."

"What?" said Stafford. "My attentions to Miss Falconer--Are you

chaffing, Howard?"

"Not in the least: it's usually too great a waste of time with you, my

dear boy: you don't listen, and when you do, half the time you don't

understand. No, I'm quite serious; but perhaps I ought to have said her

attentions to you; it would have been more correct."

Stafford coloured.

"Look here, old man," he said. "If you think--Oh, dash it all, what

nonsense it is! Miss Falconer and I are very good friends; and of

course I like to talk to her--she's so sharp, almost as smart and

clever as you are, when she likes to take the trouble; and of course I

like to hear her sing--Why, my dear Howard, it's like listening to one

of the big operatic swells; but--but to suggest that there is

anything--that--there is any reason to warn me--Oh, dash it! come off

it, old man, you're chaffing?"

"Not in the least. But I didn't intend any warning: in fact, I am in

honour bound to refrain from anything of the kind--"

"In honour bound?" said Stafford.

Howard almost blushed.

"Oh, it's nothing; only a silly wager," he said. "I can't tell you, so

don't enquire. But all the same--well, there, I won't say more if you

are sure there is nothing between you."