RANKIN. Well, perhaps hardly an acquaintance, Sir Howrrd. But I
was a close friend of your brother Miles: and when he sailed for
Brazil I was one of the little party that saw him off. You were
one of the party also, if I'm not mistaken. I took particular
notice of you because you were Miles's brother and I had never
seen ye before. But ye had no call to take notice of me.

SIR HOWARD (reflecting). Yes: there was a young friend of my
brother's who might well be you. But the name, as I recollect it,
was Leslie.

RANKIN. That was me, sir. My name is Leslie Rankin; and your
brother and I were always Miles and Leslie to one another.

SIR HOWARD (pluming himself a little). Ah! that explains it. I
can trust my memory still, Mr. Rankin; though some people do
complain that I am growing old.

RANKIN. And where may Miles be now, Sir Howard?

SIR HOWARD (abruptly). Don't you know that he is dead?

RANKIN (much shocked). Never haird of it. Dear, dear: I shall
never see him again; and I can scarcely bring his face to mind
after all these years. (With moistening eyes, which at once touch
Lady Cicely's sympathy) I'm right sorry--right sorry.

SIR HOWARD (decorously subduing his voice). Yes: he did not live
long: indeed, he never came back to England. It must be nearly
thirty years ago now that he died in the West Indies on his