“Tracy, give up this mad life you lead! Give up the women and the drink, and the excessive gaming; for one day, believe me, you will overstep yourself and be ruined!”

The Duke disengaged himself.

“I very much object to being manhandled in the street,” he complained. “I suppose you still mean well. You should strive to conquer the tendency.”

“I wonder if you know how insolent is your tone, Belmanoir?” asked Fortescue steadily.

“Naturally. I should not have attained such perfection in the art else. But pray accept my thanks for your good advice. You will forgive me an I do not avail myself of it, I am sure. I prefer the crooked path.”

“Evidently,” sighed the other. “If you will not try the straight and narrow way, I can only hope that you will fall very deeply and very honestly in love; and that the lady will save you from yourself.”