"Water?" echoed Mrs Hamilton.
Mr Ellis looked keenly at Mavis.
"Have some champagne," continued Mrs Hamilton.
"I'd fall under the table if I did. I'll have water. I never drink anything else," said Mavis.
"I never drink anything else except champagne," retorted Mrs Hamilton. "Look here, if Miss Devereux drinks water I shall," declared Williams.
"Do. The change will do you good," replied Mavis.
"See what I've let myself in for," said Williams, as he kept his word.
As the servant was about to pour out champagne for Mr Ellis, Mrs Hamilton said:
"Stop! I've something special for you."
She then whispered to the servant, who left the room to bring back a curious, old bottle. When this was opened, a golden wine poured into Mr Ellis's glass, where it bubbled joyously, as if rejoicing at being set free from its long imprisonment.