"Then avoid women, at least avoid marrying them," he added as an afterthought.
Hoskins looked uncomfortable and fidgeted with his feet.
"I recognise the signs, Hoskins. You are keeping company with some young female. Now, don't deny it."
He did not deny it; but his fresh-coloured face took on a deeper hue.
"I can see," remarked Lord Drewitt with a sigh, "that my coffee is threatened from two different angles: your weakness about women, and Lady Drewitt's determination about the title. Tell me about it, Hoskins. I can bear it," he said wearily.
"It was only in case—in case Well, my lord, you have so often talked about getting married that I thought"
Drewitt looked at him pityingly. "So that if I do a thing that all the great minds of the world are agreed is damn silly, you must go and do the same thing."
"Well, my lord, it would make—it would make a considerable difference," pleaded Hoskins.
"It would," agreed Lord Drewitt, "a considerable difference. Now, leave me. I'm not at home to anybody. No, I shall not require lunch. Say that I am in a mood of Socratic contemplation."
"Yes, my lord," said the man obediently as he left the room.
When some hours later Beresford entered, Drew-
