"Begging, I suppose?"

"He borrowed some money for his friend Barrymaine."

The Viscount flushed hotly, and looked at Barnabas with a sudden frown.

"Perhaps you are unaware, that is a name I never allow spoken in my presence, Mr. Beverley."

"Indeed, Viscount, and pray, why not?"

"For one thing, because he is—what he is—"

"Lady Cleone's brother."

"Half-brother, sir, and none the less a—knave."

"How—?"

"I mean that he is a card-sharper, a common cheat."