THE Canon passed an unquiet night; and next morning, feeling in need of fresh air, took a stroll in the Park. The day was very fine, and there was a charming freshness in the air which soon brought back his . He sauntered up the Row looking at the people who were out already to enjoy the earliness of the day after a late night at some gay party. He stopped now and then to observe the flowers, in which he took the horticulturist’s delight: Canon Spratte had an weakness for putting Latin names to the daintiest blossoms of the way-side. He nodded to one or two friends and passed the time of day with a famous politician. The scene had an air of luxury and of fashionable to the cares of life which filled him with satisfaction.  
Presently he saw Gwendolen Durant ride towards him.
 
She looked so well on horseback that he wondered more than ever why Lionel could not make up his mind to marry. She stopped and to him. They exchanged the simple which serves for wit among the easily pleased, and the Canon expressed his of her seat. She nodded a farewell and put her heel to the horse’s side. But at that moment a motor-car rushed by at a terrific speed and gave a series of loud explosions. Gwendolen’s horse turned round with a sudden leap that almost unseated her, and was on the point of bolting, when the Canon jumped forward and seized the . It was not a very dangerous action, but it required some presence of mind, and he performed it with a breadth of gesture that made it look almost heroic.
 
“Thanks, so much,” said Gwendolen, a little out of breath and startled. “If you hadn’t been there he’d have bolted. He’s got a mouth like iron and he simply pulls my arms out.”
 
“Are you quite sure you’re safe now?” asked Canon Spratte, anxiously.
 
The horse was still nervous and refused to stand still.
 
“He’ll probably bolt with me, but I must risk it,” she laughed, trying to show no concern.
 
“Let me the a little, and then you’ll be as safe as a house.” With fingers he the chain and altered it. “You know, you really ought not to ride alone.”
 
“A bores me, and there’s no one else to come.”
 
“I shall ride with you to-morrow,” he answered. “I don’t think you should be left to your own devices. Now I think you’re in no danger.”
 
She thanked him and quickly off. The Canon resumed his somewhat pleased with the action: he was grateful for the smallest incident that served to restore his diminished self-. He was turning round to go home when he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Sir John Durant.
 
“I’ve just seen Gwendolen. She tells me you saved her from a nasty accident.”
 
“Oh, it was nothing. I happened to be near.”
 
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
 
“If you’ll allow me to say it, I think it’s somewhat incautious to let her ride alone. I’ve offered to accompany her to-morrow.”
 
“Oh, that’s very good of you,” said the . “I’m afraid you’ll find it a great bore.”
 
“Not at all; I assure you it will be a great pleasure. My doctor has advised me to take horse-exercise, and I shall be only too glad to have some one to ride with.” The Canon put his arm through the brewer’s in his most friendly fashion. “And how are you, my dear fellow? I trust that your affairs are flourishing.”
 
“Well, in point of fact they’re not,” cried the other, suddenly growing serious. “That confounded Government wants to give the local justices power to close a certain proportion of public-houses in their districts.”
 
“Ah, yes, I saw something about that in the papers, but I understood it would have no influence on the consumption of liquor. Stonehenge’s idea is that the remaining houses will profit.”
 
“Don’t you believe it,” cried Sir John, with much . “Nine times out of ten a man doesn’t drink a glass of beer because he’s thirsty, but because there’s a public-house at his elbow. Each one they shut up will take a good round sum out of our pockets.”
 
“The Government seems very strong on the point. I suppose they’ve been got hold of by the faddists.”
 
Sir John stopped still and significantly tapped Canon Spratte on the chest. His was full of weight.
 
“Mark my words. The Government doesn’t know how strong we are. If they try to with the liquor interest it’ll be a bad day for the Conservative party. I’ll fight them tooth and nail, and I shall carry the whole trade with me. I’m not a boasting fool, but I tell you this: the Government’s in a damned wobbly state, and if they put my back up I don’t answer for the consequences.”
 
Canon Spratte looked at his red-faced friend with the utmost attention. He knew that Sir John Durant was a rich man, but had not realized till this moment that he was a powerful man as well. Events might take such a turn that any one who had the brewer’s ear would command vast influence. He looked at his watch. It was time for him to keep an appointment, and he wanted to think quietly over the consequences of this discovery.
 
“Why don’t you come and lunch with me at the club one day?” he asked. “I’m afraid I mayn’t take you to the Athenæum, but they give you capital wine at the Carlton.”
 
Sir John accepted with pleasure, and so they parted. He was very thoughtful during the remainder of that morning, but at announced to his family that he proposed to ride every morning after breakfast. His doctor had recommended exercise, and he knew of no other which combined in such just proportions entertainment with utility.
 
“And what about this marriage of yours, Theodore?” asked Lady Sophia. “You forget that we are all on .”
 
He stared at her for a moment with a very natural show of , and burst into a shout of laughter.
 
“It was only a little joke of mine, Sophia. You don’t imagine it’s likely that I should marry at my age.”
 
“As you say, we Sprattes have a sense of humour,” she replied, dryly.
 
“I can’t help fun at you sometimes, my dear. But, as you rightly observed, no one would be such a fool as to marry an old fossil like your servant.”
 
But her remarks had brought back to his mind an incident which he would willingly have forgotten. He was still very sore, and the more he thought of it the more foolish he felt himself. It was in no amiable mood, therefore, that he waited for Bertram Railing, who was expected to call that afternoon. Nor was the Canon much pleased with his daughter, and he had mentioned two or three times his that her disobedience had placed him in an awkward position. Railing was not an easy person to deal with. His plainness and candour rendered possible a very undignified .
 
But when the young man arrived nothing was visible on the Canon’s face save complete . They shook hands.
 
“Ah, how good of you to come, dear Railing. So glad to see you.”
 
“Winnie told me she’d be at home this afternoon.”
 
“Of course I didn’t flatter myself that you’d come to see me,” laughed the Canon. “But in point of fact I’ve been wanting to have a little talk with you. It’s a very serious step that you young folks are taking.”
 
“Then we’re wise to take it with a light heart,” cried Railing, .
 
“Ha, ha, capital! Now I should have thought you were both very young to be married.”
 
“I am twenty-eight, sir, and Winnie is twenty-one.”
 
“You neither of you look it,” murmured the Canon, with an amiable bow.
 
“Possibly!”
 
Canon Spratte pulled out the splendid cigarette-case in gold, with initials of diamonds, which a fond admirer had presented to him. He offered it to Railing.
 
“No, thank you. I never smoke.”
 
“I see you have no .” The Canon became so that it was overwhelming. “Now, my dear fellow, let us discuss this matter in the most cordial way. I need not tell you that I have the very highest esteem for you personally, and the sincerest admiration for your talents. But we live in an age when talent is not always rewarded according to its merits, and I am curious to know upon what you propose to live.”
 
“My income is about a hundred and fifty a year and Winnie has three hundred from her mother.”
 
“You are very well informed,” smiled the Canon, good-naturedly.
 
“Winnie told me,” said Bertram, flushing.
 
“Obviously! I didn’t suppose for a moment that you had examined the will at Somerset House. And do you imagine that Winnie will be content to live on four hundred and fifty pounds a year?”
 
“It’s three times as much as my mother ever had.”
 
“Possibly, but your mother—a most excellent person, Mr. Railing—has moved in rather a different of society from my daughter.”
 
“Do you think your daughter cares two straws for the gewgaws and the tawdry trappings of Society?” asked Bertram, scornfully.
 
The Canon his shoulders.
 
“I think my daughter is hum............