I cling to this paper as though it were your hand.

But-- "Dearest--dearest--Good-by.
"SHIELA CARDROSS." When Portlaw came in from his culinary conference he found Hamil scattering the black ashes of a letter among the cinders.
"Well, we're going to try an old English receipt on those trout," he began cheerfully--and stopped short at sight of Hamil's face.
"What's the matter ?" he asked bluntly.
"Nothing." Hamil returned to his chair and picked up a book; Portlaw looked at him for a moment, then, perplexed, sorted his mail and began to open the envelopes.
"Bills, bills," he muttered, "appeals for some confounded foundlings' hospital--all the eternal junk my flesh is heir to--and a letter from a lawyer--let them sue!--and a--a--hey! what the devil--what the--" Portlaw was on his feet, startled eyes fairly protruding as he scanned incredulously the engraved card between his pudgy fingers.
"O Lord!" he bellowed; "it's all up! The entire bally business has gone up! That pup of a Louis!--Oh, there's no use!--Look here, Hamil! I tell you I can't believe it, I can't, and I won't--_Look_ what that fool card says!" And Hamil's stunned gaze fell on the engraved card: "Mr.and Mrs.Neville Cardross have the honour of announcing the marriage of their daughter Shiela to Mr.Louis Malcourt." The date and place followed.
Portlaw was making considerable noise over the matter, running about distractedly with little, short, waddling steps.

Occasionally he aimed a kick at a stuffed arm-chair, which did not hurt his foot too much.
It was some time before he calmed enough to pout and fume and protest in his usual manner, appealing alternately to Heaven as witness and to Hamil for corroboration that he had been outrageously used.
"Now, who the devil could suspect him of such intention!" wailed poor Portlaw.

"God knows, he was casual with the sex.

There have been dozens of them, Hamil, literally dozens in every port!--from Mamie and Stella up to Gladys and Ethelberta! Yes, he was Harry to some and Reginald to others--high, low--and the game, Hamil--the game amused him; but so help me kings and aces! I never looked for this--never so help me; and I thought him as safe with the Vere-de-Veres as he was with the Pudding Sisters, Farina and Tapioca! And now"-- passionately displaying the engraved card--"look who's here!...