'

'Very well. Old girl, then.'

'I'm a good deal younger than you are. And I'm a good deal better than
you, in every way. I'm a lady, at all events, and you can't pretend to
be a gentleman. You're a rough, common fellow--'

'Holloa! Holloa! Draw it mild.'

He was startled, and in some degree abashed; his eyes, travelling to
the door, indicated a fear that this singular business-colloquy might be
overheard. But Beatrice went on, without subduing her voice, and, having
delivered herself of much plain language, walked from the room, leaving
the door open behind her.

As a rule, she returned from her day's occupations to dinner, in
De Crespigny Park, at seven o'clock. To-day her arrival at home
was considerably later. About three o'clock she made a call at the
boarding-house where Mrs. Damerel lived, but was disappointed in her
wish to see that lady, who would not be in before the hour of
dining. She called again at seven, and Mrs. Damerel received her very
graciously. It was the first time they had met. Beatrice, in no mood for
polite grimaces, at once disclosed the object of her visit; she wanted
to talk about Fanny; did Mrs. Damerel know anything of a proposed
journey to Brussels? The lady professed utter ignorance of any such
intention on Fanny's part. She had not seen Fanny for at least a
fortnight.

'How can that be? She told me she dined here last Sunday.'

'That's very strange,' answered Mrs. Damerel, with suave concern. 'She
certainly did not dine here.'

'And the Sunday before?'

'Your sister has dined here only once, Miss. French, and that was three
months ago.'

'Then I don't understand it. Haven't you been taking her to theatres,
and parties, and that kind of thing?'

'I have taken her once to a theatre, and twice to evening "at homes."
The last time we were together anywhere was at Mrs. Dane's, about the
middle of May. Since then I have seen her hardly at all. I'm very
much afraid you are under some misconception. Thinking your sister was
engaged to marry my nephew, Mr. Lord, I naturally desired to offer her
a few friendly attentions. But it came out, at length, that she did not
regard the engagement as serious. I was obliged to speak gravely to my
young nephew, and beg him to consider his position. There is the second
dinner-bell, but I am quite at your service, Miss. French, if you wish
to question me further.'

Beatrice was much inclined to resent this tone, and to use her
vernacular. But