No
near relative, I trust?'

'No, only a friend,' Alice replied. 'You've heard me speak of a girl
called Emma Vine. It's a sister of hers. She died this morning, and they
want help about the funeral.'

'Precisely, precisely. You know with what zeal I hasten to perform
your'--a slight emphasis on this word--'brother's pleasure, be the
business what it may. I'll see about it at once. I was to say to you
that your brother would be in town this evening.'

'Oh, very well. But you needn't look so gloomy, you know, Mr. Keene.
I'm very sorry, but then she's been ill for a very long time, and it's
really almost a relief--to her sisters, I mean.'

'I trust you enjoyed your visit to Wanley, Miss Mutimer?' said Keene,
still preserving his very respectful tone and bearing.

'Oh yes, thanks. I dare say I shall go there again before very long. No
doubt you'll be glad to hear that.'

'I will try to be, Miss Mutimer. I trust that your pleasure is my first
consideration in life.'

Alice was, to speak vulgarly, practising on Mr. Keene. He was her
first visitor since she had entered upon rule, and she had a double
satisfaction in subduing him with airs and graces. She did not trouble
to reflect that under the circumstances he might think her rather
heartless, and indeed hypocrisy was not one of her failings. Her
_naivete_ constituted such charm as she possessed; in the absence of any
deep qualities it might be deemed a virtue, for it was inconsistent with
serious deception.

'I suppose you mean you'd really much rather I stayed here?'

Keene eyed her with observation. He himself had slight depth for a man
doomed to live by his wits, and he was under the disadvantage of really
feeling something of what he said. He was not a rascal by predilection;
merely driven that way by the forces which in our social state
abundantly make for rascality.

'Miss Mutimer,' he replied, with a stage sigh, 'why do you tempt
my weakness? I am on my honour; I am endeavouring to earn your good
opinion. Spare me!'

'Oh, I'm sure there's no harm in you, Mr. Keene. I suppose you'd better
go and see after your--your business.'

'You are right. I go at once, Princess. I may call you Princess?'

'Well, I don't know about that. Of course only when there's no one else
in the room.'

'But I shall think it always.'

'That I can't prevent, you know.'

'Ah, I fear you mean nothing, Miss Mutimer.'

'Nothing at all.'

He took his leave, and Alice enjoy