rtainly turned mine."
"Ah, but that was twelve years ago; I'm afraid my fascinations have
faded since then. Joking apart, George, Milly has left me two
legacies--two proteges to befriend. Shafto is one--I am to invite him
to tea, and talk to him with wisdom, and win his complete and entire
confidence."
"Oh! and the other?"
"The other is Miss Leigh, whom she chaperoned from home. She is living
with an aunt, who is married to a German named Krauss."
"Yes, I know; a poisonous chap!"
"So she seems to think, and that this girl, who by all accounts is very
pretty and charming, and a marvellous pianist, has been lured out to
act as maid and housekeeper, and save the pocket of Herr Krauss. Now,
as I have two legacies, I want to know if you will take one of them off
my hands?"
"As if my hands were not full!"
"Yes, officially, only; now I offer you your choice. Which will you
have? Shafto or the girl?"
"You need scarcely ask; I'll take the girl, of course, and leave you
Shafto."
"Oh, you are an old silly!" she exclaimed, ruffling up his grizzled
hair; "I wonder which of us will have the better bargain."
With regard to the subject of Mrs. Gregory's conversation, Douglas set
to work with the proverbial enthusiasm of a new broom and soon
became--as Salter had predicted--a cog in the whirling wheels of a
machine. But Thursday being the Station holiday, he hired a taxi and
had himself driven out to Kokine, in order to call on Mrs. Krauss and
Miss Leigh; unfortunately his journey proved to be a waste of time and
money. The leisurely servant who emerged from the entrance of
"Heidelberg," salver in hand, accepted his visiting-card with a salaam,
and then announced with stolid unconcern:
"Missis can't see."
CHAPTER XIV
THE MANTLE OF FERNANDA
During the long and weary wait whilst the _Blankshire_ was being made
fast, Sophy Leigh and her girl friends had collected in a group taking
leave of one another and making plans for future meetings.
"I must say I envy you," said Lena Morgan, the elder of the two plain,
pleasant sisters, whose father was "something in timber." "You will be
the darling of enormously rich relatives, have several motors, and
horses galore."
"I'm not so sure," she gaily rejoined. "'Galore' is such a big word,
but from what my aunt has told us, I believe I shall have what is
called 'a good time,' and I hope everyone of us will share it. I
expect Aunt Flora will be her
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