"I said just now I didn't want to know anything about
the affair; but I will confess that I am curious to learn whether you
propose to marry Miss Bessie Alden."

On this point Lord Lambeth gave his interlocutor no immediate
satisfaction; he was musing, with a frown. "By Jove," he said, "they go
rather too far. They SHALL find me dangerous--I promise them."

Percy Beaumont began to laugh. "You don't redeem your promises. You said
the other day you would make your mother call."

Lord Lambeth continued to meditate. "I asked her to call," he said
simply.

"And she declined?"

"Yes; but she shall do it yet."

"Upon my word," said Percy Beaumont, "if she gets much more frightened I
believe she will." Lord Lambeth looked at him, and he went on. "She will
go to the girl herself."

"How do you mean she will go to her?"

"She will beg her off, or she will bribe her. She will take strong
measures."

Lord Lambeth turned away in silence, and his companion watched him take
twenty steps and then slowly return. "I have invited Mrs. Westgate and
Miss Alden to Branches," he said, "and this evening I shall name a day."

"And shall you invite your mother and your sisters to meet them?"

"Explicitly!"

"That will set the duchess off," said Percy Beaumont. "I suspect she
will come."

"She may do as she pleases."

Beaumont looked at Lord Lambeth. "You do really propose to marry the
little sister, then?"

"I like the way you talk about it!" cried the young man. "She won't
gobble me down; don't be afraid."

"She won't leave you on your knees," said Percy Beaumont. "What IS the
inducement?"

"You talk about proposing: wait till I HAVE proposed," Lord Lambeth went
on.

"That's right, my dear fellow; think about it," said Percy Beaumont.

"She's a charming girl," pursued his lordship.

"Of course she's a charming girl. I don't know a girl more charming,
intrinsically. But there are other charming girls nearer home."

"I like her spirit," observed Lord Lambeth, almost as if he were trying
to torment his cousin.

"What's the peculiarity of her spirit?"

"She's not afraid, and she says things out, and she thinks herself as
good as anyone. She is the only girl I have ever seen that was not dying
to marry me."

"How do you know that, if you haven't asked her?"

"I don't know how; but I know it."

"I am sure she asked me questions enough about your property and your
titles," said Beaumont.

"She has asked me questi