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XXII] him. "Lady Muriel," I said softly to myself as I went homewards, "truly you know how to 'mak' amends'!"

Seated once more by my lonely fireside, I tried to recall the strange vision of the night before, and to conjure up the face of the dear old Professor among the blazing coals. "That black onewith just a touch of redwould suit him well," I thought. "After such a catastrophe, it would be sure to be covered with black stainsand he would say:

"The result of that combinationyou may have noticed?was an Explosion! Shall I repeat the Experiment?"

"No, no! Don't trouble yourself!" was the general cry. And we all trooped off, in hot haste, to the Banqueting-Hall, where the feast had already begun.

No time was lost in helping the dishes, and very speedily every guest found his plate filled with good things.

"I have always maintained the principle," the Professor began, "that it is a good rule to take some foodoccasionally. The great advantage of dinner-parties" he broke off