He was still in bed, and looked ill and unshaven. He was reading his letters, and glanced up at me with heavy, bloodshot eyes.
"Just got a line from Myrlshire," he said, pompously, without a trace of shame or regret in his voice.
"He says he has written to you, too; he wants me to shoot on the 30th."
I remained silent. I did not mean to irritate him, but the whole scene made me numb with disgust.
"Why the devil don't you answer?" Augustus raged, his face flushing darkly. "Write at once and say we shall be delighted to accept."
"You are engaged to shoot with Mr. Dodd for that date," I informed him.
Mr. Dodd was sent to perdition, and Mrs. Dodd, too, and then he said, more quietly:
"Sit down now and write to the Duke. I would not miss this for anything."
I did not stir from where I stood.
"Listen, Augustus," I said. "I will not visit with you anywhere, and I will let every one know the reason, unless you swear, by whatever you hold sacred, that you will never utterly disgrace yourself again as you did last night. When you have decided to make this oath you can let me know." And I left the room, leaving the air behind me thick with curses.