‘If only you could assure me of that!’

’I can assure you.  That is to say, I can give it as my unassailable conviction.’

And Earwaker once more enlarged upon the theme, stating it from every point of view that served his purpose.

‘You’re making a mountain out of a mole-heap,’ was the lady will get over her sorrows quickly enough, and some day she’ll confirmatory remark that came from Thomas.  ’This respectable be only too glad to have you for a son-in-law, if Miss Bella still pleases you.’

‘It’s only right,’ urged Earwaker, in pursuance of his subtler intention, ’that you should bear the worst of the suffering, for the trouble has come out of your own thoughtlessness.  You are fond of saying that you have behaved with the utmost discretion; so far from that you have been outrageously indiscreet.  I foresaw that something of this kind might come to pass’——­

‘Then why the devil didn’t you warn me?’ shouted Malkin, in an agony of nervous strain.

‘It would have been useless.  In fact, I foresaw it too late.’

The discussion continued for an hour.  By careful insistence on the idea of self-sacrifice, Earwaker by degrees demolished the arguments his friend kept putting forward.  Thomas, who had gone impatiently to the window, turned round with words that. were meant to be final.

’It’s quite decided.  You begin your preparations at once, and to-morrow morning you go on board with us.’

’But if I don’t go to Wrotham this afternoon, she’ll be here either to-night or the first thing to-morrow.  I’m sure of it!’

‘By four or five o’clock,’ said Earwaker, ’you can have broken up the camp.  You’ve often done it at shorter notice.  Go to an hotel for the night.’

‘I must write to the poor woman.’

‘Do as you like about that.’

’Who is to help her, if she gets into difficulties—­as she’s always doing?  Who is to advise her about Bella’s education?  Who is to pay—­I mean, who will see to——?  Oh, confound it!’

The listeners glanced at each other.

‘Are her affairs in order?’ asked Earwaker.  ’Has she a sufficient income?’

’For ordinary needs, quite sufficient.  But’——­

’Then you needn’t be in the least uneasy.  Let her know where you are, when the equator is between you.  Watch over her interests from a distance, if you like.  I can as good as promise you that Bella will wait hopefully to see her friend again.’

Malkin succumbed to argument and exhaustion.  Facing Earwaker with a look of pathetic appeal, he asked hoarsely: 

‘Will you stand by me till it’s over?  Have you time?’

‘I can give you till five o’clock.’

’Then I’ll go and dress.  Ring the bell, Tom, and ask them to bring up some beer.’

Before three had struck, the arrangements for flight were completed.  A heavily-laden cab bore away Malkin’s personal property; within sat the unhappy man and his faithful friend.