Sir D. Lal!

(Lal stops. Sir Daniel closes the door, left. Piano faintly heard through fol- lowing scene.)

I've spoken to Sir Robert Jennings to take yon out as assistant to him on this new Egyptian railway.

Lal. I'd rather not leave England just now, sir.

Sir D. (very firmly). I wish it.

Lal. Why, sir?

Sir D. (very affectionately putting his hand on Lal's shoulder). My dear boy, to stop you from making an unhappy fool of yourself.

Lal. In what way, sir?

Sir D. When I came up to London to read for the bar, I fell very desperately in love with my landlady's sister, a lady some six years older and some two stone heavier than myself. She was in the mantle business and wore a large crinoline. I used to call her my Bonnie Louisa. My father got wind of it, came up to town and promptly