"
Montague was embarrassed. "I don't know what you mean," he said.
"Everybody thinks there's some trickery in that suit," she answered.
"Oh," said Montague, "I see. Well, they will find out. If it will
help you any to know it, I've been having no end of scenes with my
brother."
"I'll believe you," said Mrs. Billy, genially. "But it seems strange
that a man could have been so blind to a situation! I feel quite
ashamed because I didn't help you myself!"
The carriage had stopped at Mrs. Billy's home, and she asked him to
dinner. "There'll be nobody but my brother," she said,--"we're
resting this evening. And I can make up to you for my negligence!"
Montague had no engagement, and so he went in, and saw Mrs. Billy's
mansion, which was decorated in imitation of a Doge's palace, and
met Mr. "Davy" Alden, a mild-mannered little gentleman who obeyed
orders promptly. They had a comfortable dinner of half-a-dozen
courses, and then retired to the drawing-room, where Mrs. Billy sank
into a huge easy chair, with a decanter of whisky and some cracked
ice in readiness beside it.
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