"Even the Last Resort has refused me." Loveland broke the news to his mother when he had kissed her. "Miss Mecklenburg?" "Yes. I begin to realise that I'm a sinking ship. The early rats are deserting me-or declining to come on board. Clever little animals " "You shan't sink," protested Lady Loveland, clasping the pretty hands whence all save the wedding ring and its guard had gone to pay a visit of indefinite length to Messrs. Battenborough. "The idiot, to refuse you-with her nose, too."