but the Prince supported his scrutiny with unabashed good temper.

"If I had not a deal of experience," said the President at last, "I

should turn you off. But I know the world; and this much any way,

that the most frivolous excuses for a suicide are often the

toughest to stand by. And when I downright like a man, as I do

you, sir, I would rather strain the regulation than deny him."

The Prince and the Colonel, one after the other, were subjected to

a long and particular interrogatory: the Prince alone; but

Geraldine in the presence of the Prince, so that the President

might observe the countenance of the one while the other was being

warmly cross-examined. The result was satisfactory; and the

President, after having booked a few details of each case, produced

a form of oath to be accepted. Nothing could be conceived more

passive than the obedience promised, or more stringent than the

terms by which the juror bound himself. The man who forfeited a

pledge so awful could scarcely have a rag of honour or any of the

consolations of religion left to him. Florizel signed the

document, but not without a shudder; the Colonel followed his

example with an air of great depression. Then the President

received the entry money; and without more ado, introduced the two

friends into the smoking-room of the Suicide Club.

The smoking-room of the Suicide Club was the same height as the

cabinet into which it opened, but much larger, and papered from top

to bottom with an imitation of oak wainscot. A large and cheerful

fire and a number of gas-jets illuminated the company. The Prince

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