He shook his head deprecatingly and Lord Caterham, finding his voice with difficulty, said blankly:

“Do I understand you to mean⁠—ah, my dear fellow, you can’t want to marry Bundle?”

“You are surprised. I suppose to you it seems sudden. I have your permission, then, to speak to her?”

“Oh, yes,” said Lord Caterham. “If it’s permission you want⁠—of course you can. But you know, Lomax, I really shouldn’t if I were you. Just go home and think it over like a good fellow. Count twenty. All that sort of thing. Always a pity to propose and make a fool of yourself.”

“I dare say you mean your advice kindly, Caterham, though I must confess that you put it somewhat strangely. But I have made up my mind to put my fortune to the test. I may see Eileen?”