so many unnecessary fibs," remarked the lady.

She stood up and drew the hatpins out of her hat.

He said, "I'm quite frank with you. I don't think I've been anything
else. And, after all, I only ask to do it in my own way--at my own time.
To choose my moment. Really, one can't behave like an _impossible_
bounder."

"Oh, can't one? Well, perhaps not."

She took the hat off and put it on a table, giving the impression
suddenly, without it, of being smooth, a little bald, and very
good-tempered.

"Then you'll forgive me, Lady Walmer--you'll understand? I should think
that in about three or four weeks I shall be able to join you somewhere.
But, about fixing the date--that's impossible. Can't I see Alec to-day?"

She smiled graciously.

"Certainly you may; I want you to. You must cheer her up and say nice
things to her. Poor child, I wish she weren't so ridiculously pleased
with you. You don't care two straws for her."

"I give you my word of honour that I will make her happy."

"I suppose you'll make her as happy as any one would. It's always
something to get one's wish, even if the wish is a failure."

"Now, why do you say that? It won't be a failure."

"All right. I'll send her to you. Now be a good boy, Harry. I'm
jealous--for Alec--of the Green Gate." She smiled in her attractive way.
"Will there be an absolute rupture between you and your ... cousins, do
you think?"

"Oh, good heavens, Lady Walmer, no!" said Harry rather irritably. "We
shall all be perfect friends, of course ... what impossible things you
expect."

"I expect only what is certain."

She went away.

Vanity was as elemental in Harry as in any other good-looking young man.
With him, though, it was not a mere useless pursuit--an
art-for-art's-sake joy--but invariably calculated and used as a means to
an end.

He looked in the glass earnestly, then started as Alec came in.

He was always surprised and even a little _gene_ each time he saw her,
by her immense apparent height. It seemed so much greater than it was
because of the somewhat monotonous lines of her figure and her rather
bird-like face.

Harry watched her, listened to her as she chattered away her hurried,
inexpressive unmeaning slang, and looked at him with her bright, small,
beadlike eyes.

He did not appreciate her. He did not know that behind the jerky manner
and inexpressive face there was a Soul.

She had not been trained to talk sentiment, and she could not expre