glish
eyes."

"People know who you are, and discount all that."

"If the difference be very marked they do. For instance, I needn't
wear a hideous long bit of cloth over my face in Constantinople
because I am a woman. But when the discrepancies are small, then they
have to be attended to. So I shan't walk about with you any more."

"Oh yes, you will," said Silverbridge, who began to think that he
liked walking about with Miss Boncassen.

"Certainly not. There is Mr. Sprottle. He is father's secretary. He
will take me back."

"Cannot I take you back as well as Mr. Sprottle?"

"Indeed no;--I am not going to monopolise such a man as you. Do you
think that I don't understand that everybody will be making remarks
upon the American girl who won't leave the son of the Duke of Omnium
alone? There is your particular friend Lady Mabel, and here is my
particular friend Mr. Sprottle."

"May I come and call?"

"Certainly. Father will only be too proud,--and I shall be prouder.
Mother will be the proudest of all. Mother very seldom goes out. Till
we get a house we are at The Langham. Thank you, Mr. Sprottle. I
think we'll go and find father."

Lord Silverbridge found himself close to Lady Mabel and Tregear, and
also to Miss Cassewary, who had now joined Lady Mabel. He had been
much struck with the American beauty, but was not on that account
the less anxious to carry out his great plan. It was essentially
necessary that he should do so at once, because the matter had been
settled between him and his father. He was anxious to assure her that
if she would consent, then the Duke would be ready to pour out all
kinds of paternal blessings on their heads. "Come and take a turn
among the haycocks," he said.

"Frank declares," said Lady Mabel, "that the hay is hired for the
occasion. I wonder whether that is true."

"Anybody can see," said Tregear, "that it has not been cut off the
grass it stands upon."

"If I could find Mrs. Montacute Jones I'd ask her where she got it,"
said Lady Mabel.

"Are you coming?" asked Silverbridge impatiently.

"I don't think I am. I have been walking round the haycocks till I am
tired of them."

"Anywhere else then?"

"There isn't anywhere else. What have you done with your American
beauty? The truth is, Lord Silverbridge, you ask me for my company
when she won't give you hers any longer. Doesn't it look like it,
Miss Cassewary?"

"I don't think Lord Silverbridge is the man to forget an