“We are not adventurers,” protested Mrs. Pevenly.

“People who come to stay at country houses and play for stakes that they’ve no prospect of paying if they lose, are adventurers,” said Beryl, who seemed determined to include her mother in any moral censure that might be applied to her own conduct.

“Have you said anything to him about the difficulty you are in?”

“I have. That’s what I’ve come to tell you about. We had a talk this morning in the billiard-room after breakfast. It seems there is just one way out of the tangle. He’s inclined to be amorous.”

“Amorous!” exclaimed the mother.