CHAPTER IX.
On Monday morning Douglas received a note inviting him to lunch at Mr.
Lind's club.

He had spent the greater part of the previous night composing a sonnet, which he carried with him in his pocket to St.
James's Street.

Mr.Lind received him cordially; listened to an account of his recent stay abroad; and described his own continental excursions, both gentlemen expressing great interest at such coincidences as their having put up at the same hotel or travelled by the same line of railway.

When luncheon was over, Mr.Lind proposed that they should retire to the smoking-room.
"I should like to have a few words with you first, as we are alone here," said Douglas.
"Certainly," said Mr.Lind, assuming a mild dignity in anticipation of being appealed to as a parent.

"Certainly, Sholto." "What I have to say, coming so soon after my long absence, will probably surprise you.