ntly trust
you will remain so. Will you promise me as much? will you give me your
word not to marry till I leave this?"

"I need scarcely pledge myself, madam, to that; my narrow fortune binds
me, whether I would or not."

"And you have your mother with you, haven't you?"

"No, madam; my sister has accompanied me."

"I wish it had been your mother. I do so like the maternal pride of a
dear old lady in her fine, handsome son. Is n't she vain of you? By
the way, how did your choice fall upon the Church? You look more like a
cavalry officer. I'm certain you ride well."

"It is, perhaps, the only accomplishment I possess in the world," said
he, with some warmth of manner.

"I 'm delighted to hear that you 're a horseman. There 's a mare of
mine become perfectly impossible. A stupid creature I took as groom hurt
her mouth with a severe bit, and she rears now at the slightest touch.
Could n't you do something with her? Pray do; and in return I'll
take you some charming rides over the Campagna. There's a little
valley--almost a glen--near this, which I may say I discovered myself.
You mustn't be afraid of bad tongues because you ride out with me. Mrs.
Trumpler will of course take it up. She's odious--perfectly odious. You
have n't seen her yet, but you 'll have to call on her; she contributes
a thousand francs a year to the Church, and must not be neglected. And
then there's old Sir Marcus Cluff--don't forget him; and take care to
remember that his mother was Lady Marion Otley, and don't remember that
his father was Cluff and Gosier, the famous fishmonger. I protest I'm
becoming as scandalous as Mrs. Trumpler herself. And mind that you come
back and tell when you 've seen these people what they said to you, and
what you said to them, and whether they abused me. Come to tea, or, if
you like better, come and dine to-morrow at six, and I 'll call on your
mother in the mean while and ask her--though I 'd rather you 'd come
alone."

"It is my sister, madam, that is with me," said he, with great
difficulty refraining from a burst of laughter.

"Well, and I 've said I 'd visit her, though I 'm not fond of women,
and I believe they never like me."

L'Estrange blundered out some stupid compliment about her having in
recompense abundant admiration from the other sex, and she laughed, and
said, "Perhaps so. Indeed, I believe I am rather a favorite; but with
clever men--not with the fools. You 'll see that _they_ avoid me. And