"And then Margot Metroland wanted to marry you; d'you remember?"
"Yes," said Paul.
"And then you went to prison, and Alastair—that's Margot Metroland's young man—and Metroland—that's her husband—got you out; d'you remember?"
"Yes," said Paul, "I remember."
"And here we are talking to one another like this, up here, after all that! Funny, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is rather."
Paul, do you remember a thing you said once at the Ritz—Alastair was there—that's Margot Metroland's young man, you know—d'you remember? I was rather tight then too. You said, 'Fortune, a much-maligned lady.' D'you remember that?"
"Yes," said Paul, "I remember."
"Good old Paul! I knew you would. Let's drink to that now; shall we? How did it go? Damn, I've forgotten it. Never mind. I wish I didn't feel so ill."
"You drink too much, Peter."
"Oh, damn, what else is there to do? You going to be a clergyman, Paul?"
"Yes."
"Damned funny that. You know you ought never to have got mixed up with me and Metroland. May I have another drink?"
"Time you went to bed, Peter, don't you think?"
"Yes, I suppose it is. Didn't mind my
287
