"Where is Nap ?" he said again.
Lucas, supporting himself on one side with a crutch, stood by the fire and waited for him.
As Bertie drew near he took him gently by the shoulder.

"May I know what you were going to say to Miss Waring just now ?" he asked.
Bertie threw back his head.

"I was going to ask her to overlook that cad's vile insinuations--and marry me." "And that was the very thing she didn't want you to do," Lucas said.
"I can't help it." There was a stubborn note in Bertie's voice.

"She shan't think I'm a blackguard like Nap." "We will leave Nap out of it," Lucas said quietly.
"Why ?" demanded Bertie hotly.

"He was responsible.