Given the circumstances, neither Eton, nor Oxford, nor all the schools and universities rolled into one would hinder the relapse." "But why ?" exclaimed Linforth.

"Why should Shere Ali have relapsed ?" "Disappointment here, flattery in England--there are many reasons.
Usually there's a particular reason." "And what is that ?" asked Linforth.
"The love of a white woman." Ralston was aware that Linforth at his side started.

He started ever so slightly.

But Ralston was on the alert.

He made no sign, however, that he had noticed anything.
"I know that reason held good in Shere Ali's case," Ralston went on; and there came a change in Linforth's voice.