A LAST GLANCE AT FRENCH 349 



inefficiency, failure, old age at forty — mental 

 death. 



Effie would have two hundred a year. Nothing 

 could touch that. But what of the jovial French? 

 She knew enough of his financial affairs to know 

 that he would be absolutely and utterly ruined. 



Tears welled to her eyes for a moment; then 

 she brushed them away and her colour heightened. 

 Enthusiasm suddenly filled her; the desperate 

 nature of the adventure appealed to her adven- 

 turous soul. Never did a doubter do any great 

 work or carry any high adventure to a successful 

 close. Garryowen would win! She felt that to 

 doubt it would be the act of a traitor, and to beHeve 

 it would help the event. 



Shortly after three the dog-cart hired at the inn 

 for the purpose of baiUng out Mr Piper arrived 

 with Mr Dashwood and his charge. 



Mr Piper looked Hterally as though he had been 

 bailed out. The unfortunate man, besides receiv- 

 ing a severe rebuke from the magistrates, had been 

 fined two pounds, which Mr Dashwood had paid. 



In Mr Piper's morning reflections, conducted 

 in the poHce cell at Crowsnest, he had recognised 

 his false position and the uselessness of kicking 

 agatQst the pricks. 



He knew full well the ridicule that attends the 

 unfortunate who tries to explain away the reason 

 of his drunkenness ; to say that he had been made 

 tipsy by force would, even if it obtained his dis- 

 charge, be so noticeable a statement that the 



