"One can never tell when the beast may revert to his primitive instincts, and do something unpleasant," he said.

"This one is also evidently of somewhat uncertain temperament.

We are told that Una had a lion, but the effect of the story would have been diminished if it had been recorded that the king of the forest divided his allegiance." Miss Deringham was now convinced that her father was not pleased.

"I have not noticed anything especially leonine about Mr.Seaforth," she said.
"No," said Deringham dryly.

"The Honourable Charley appears to be an admirable young man of the domestic feline species, but I don't know of any reason that would make it advisable to waste powder and shot over him." Miss Deringham rose languidly, but her father felt he had gone as far as was desirable, and went back to grapple with a financial difficulty from which he could see only one escape, while she rode away with Seaforth, who led out the horse reserved for her use.