'I am very much obliged to you, Mr. FitzHoward, for what you have done for me; and trust to be able to avail myself of an early opportunity to tender you my thanks in a more suitable form.'
'My lord, you are welcome. Any little service I may do you I am always yours to command.'
Out marched Fitz, with banners flying. I turned my attention to Reggie.
'Reggie, to save trouble later on, may I call your attention to two points? The first is, that I'm not dead. The second is, that I should be obliged by your not using my house as if it were your own. As I have still something which I wish to say to Foster, will you have the extreme kindness to allow me to say it?' He was turning away with--I'll bet a pound!--unfraternal feelings in his breast--strange how little brotherly affection some men have--when a thought occurred to me. 'By the way, where's Douglas?'
'He's ill.'
'Ill? Since when?'
'Since this morning.'
'I asked you where he was.'
'He's at home with Violet.'
'Violet? Is that that young sister of his?'