“‘You must fall back upon the original plan and make my lady useful.’
“‘Yes, that must be done. I shall never have a finer chance than now. Launceston is decidedly taken, and he is the wealthiest man I know.’
“‘You must make your case a strong one, Sir Alfred.’
“‘I have sufficient evidence now—singing together, constant visits during my absence, remonstrances that I have made even in the presence of my servants. I have an invaluable footman who has seen and knows things unutterable. The British public always sides with the injured husband.’
“Then they both laughed heartily. You may imagine how simple I was when I tell you that I did not even understand what they were speaking of.
“‘When shall you manage it?’ asked Captain Pierrepont.
“‘We are going to the Court next week, and he visits us there. Then I shall commence my operations.’
“‘What amount of damages shall you go in for?’
“‘I shall ask twenty thousand and get five or ten; then we can pay those wretched bills and can have enough to float us once more.’
“There was silence some minutes, then Captain Pierrepont said: