"And I," said Tuppy gracefully, "shall consider it an honour to wait upon your lady mother: it would seem to me that no greater obligation—and it is typical of the blightin' decadence of our language that a word meanin' 'a sympathetic bindin'' should be degraded to the sordid service of bills at three months—than the respect an' reverence due to the maternal element in our midst. The spirit of chivalry——"
At this point in the labour of his oratory Tupping lost his balance and fell into the Duke's arms.
He would have continued his speech but for the arrival of the Duke's discreet servant.
"Yes?" said the Duke inquiringly.
"Two gentlemen to see you, m'lord."
"Two—who are they."
"I don't know, m'lord—they asked for your lordship——"
"Yes?"
"One I thought smelt of drink, and the other was a little furtive."
Tuppy laid his hand upon the Duke's arm.