Besides--whatever he is--her husband has first right." "Think so ?" said Nap.
"It is so," Lucas asserted quietly, "whether you admit it or not." Nap did not dispute the point, but his jaw looked exceedingly uncompromising as he departed to find the valet.
When a little later he asked for admission to Anne's presence, however, his bitter mood seemed to have modified.

He entered with the air of one well assured of his welcome.
"Are you in a mood for chess tonight ?" he asked.
"Now, you're not to plague her, Nap," put in Mrs.Errol.

"She isn't going to spend her last evening amusing you." "Oh, please," protested Anne.

"It is your son who has had all the amusing to do." Nap smiled.

"There's for you, alma mater!" he remarked as he sat down.
"Lady Carfax is much too forbearing to say anything else," retorted Mrs.Errol.
"Lady Carfax always tells the truth," said Nap, beginning to set the chess-board, "which is the exact reason why all her swains adore her." "Well," said Mrs.Errol very deliberately, though without venom, "I guess that's about the last quality I should expect you to appreciate." "Strange to say, it is actually the first just now," said Nap.