I brought them back with me.' 'And what did my lord's son bring back ?' Sir George asked, cruelly.

'A Midianitish woman ?' 'My honoured friend!' Mr.Thomasson remonstrated.

'But your wit was always mordant--mordant! Too keen for us poor folk!' 'D'ye remember the inn at Cologne, Tommy ?' Sir George continued, mischievously reminiscent.

'And Lord Tony arriving with his charmer?
And you giving up your room to her?
And the trick we played you at Calais, where we passed the little French dancer on you for Madame la Marquise de Personne ?' Mr.Thomasson winced, and a tinge of colour rose in his fat pale face.
'Boys, boys!' he said, with an airy gesture.

'You had an uncommon fancy even then, Sir George, though you were but a year from school! Ah, those were charming days! Great days!' 'And nights!' said Sir George, lying back in his chair and looking at the other with eyes half shut, and insolence half veiled.