"Certainly."
Mr. Rodney and James departed. The Duchess, the Lady Pearl and Mrs. Verulam sat down.
"Southborough always defies the weather. He is like—was it Ajax, Pearl? you ought to know."
"I quite forget," Lady Pearl said mournfully.
Mr. Rodney came in again.
"It is quite right. Lord Birchington has gone," he said.
"Birchington! You don't mean to tell me the fellow was my brother?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I fancied I knew his face. Then that quite accounts for the attempt at extortion. Birchington is always in difficulties, and I daresay cab-driving doesn't pay too well. I hope, Mr. Rodney, you didn't give in to his demands?"
"Well, really—he seemed so convinced, that I—just a sixpence, you know."