With Mrs.Tyrrell and Paula were Mr.Tyrrell and the son of the house, Mr.John, the Jack Tyrrell of sundry convivial clubs in town.

Mr.Tyrrell senior was a high-coloured jovial gentleman of three score, great in finance, practical to the backbone, yet with wit and tact which put him at ease with all manner of men, even with social reformers.

These latter amused him vastly; he failed to see that the world needed any reforming whatever, at all events beyond that which is constitutionally provided for in the proceedings of the British Parliament.

He had great wealth; he fared sumptuously every day; things shone to him in a rosy after-dinner light.

Not a gross or a selfish man, for he was as good-natured as he was contented, and gave very freely of his substance; it was simply his part in the world to enjoy the product of other men's labour and to set an example of glorious self-satisfaction.