"If he is your husband," returned her ladyship, "I am exceedingly sorry for you. As for 'daring' to apply to him any epithet I please, I consider myself fully justified in so doing after the indignity to which he has condemned me. I am glad, however, to have met you, as I am thus enabled to return you your husband's property, with the request that you take your elephant and leave my grounds as quickly as possible."
"Do you mean to say that my husband owns that monster?" gasped Mrs. Allingford.
"Such is the case," replied Lady Melton, "and I leave it in your hands. St. Hubart, I trust you will join me at breakfast as soon as another can be prepared."
"Excuse me," he said apologetically, "but really, you know, I can't leave Mrs. Allingford in the lurch. Besides, I must follow my wife."
His great-aunt faced round in a fury.
"That is sufficient!" she cried. "Leave my presence at once! I never desire to see either of you again."
"Don't let us part as enemies, aunt," he said, offering her his hand; but she swept past him into the house.
Scarsdale gloomily watched her depart, and then became conscious of a hand laid on his arm.
"I am so sorry!" murmured Mrs. Allingford. "I only seem to bring you trouble."
"Oh, you mustn't feel badly about this," he said. "We have quarrelled ever since I was born. I'm much more worried about you."