"

"Oh!"

"And yet you must know my great--my only object in being here is to see
you."

"The less I say the sooner it will be over," thought Claudia, whose
experience was considerable.

"You must have noticed my--my attachment. I hope it was without
displeasure?"

This clearly called for an answer, but Claudia gave none. She sighed
slightly and put up her parasol.

"Claudia, is there any hope for me? I love you more--"

"Mr. Haddington," said Claudia, "this is a painful scene. I trust
nothing in my conduct has misled you. [This was known--how, I do not
know--to her brothers as "Claudia's formula," but it is believed not to
be uncommon.] But what you propose is utterly impossible."

"Why do you say that? Perhaps you do not know me well enough yet--but in
time, surely?"

"Mr. Haddington," said Claudia, "let me speak plainly. Even if I loved
you--which I don't and never shall, for immense admiration for a man's
abilities is a different thing from love [Haddington looked somewhat
soothed], I could never consent to accept the position of a _pis-aller_.
That is not the Territon way." And Lady Claudia looked very proud.

"A _pis-aller_! What in the world do you mean?"

"Girls are not supposed to see anything. But do you think I imagine you
would ever have honored me in this way unless a greater prize had
been--had appeared to be out of reach?"

This was not fair; but it was near enough to the mark to make Haddington
a little uneasy. Had Kate been free, he would certainly have been in
doubt.

"I bear no malice about that," she continued, smiling, "only you mustn't
pretend to be broken-hearted, you know."

"It is a great blow to me--a great blow."

Claudia looked as if she would like to say "Fudge!" but restrained
herself and, with the daring characteristic of her, placed her hand on
his arm.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Haddington. How it must gall you to see their
happiness! I can understand you turning to me as if in self-protection.
But you should not ask a lady to marry you because you're piqued with
another lady. It isn't kind; it isn't, indeed."

Haddington was a little at loss.

"Indeed, you're wholly wrong. Lady Claudia. Indeed, if you come to that,
I don't see that they are particularly rapturous."

"You don't mean you think they're unhappy? Mr. Haddington, I am so
grieved!"

"Do you mean to say you don't agree with me?"

"You mustn't ask me. But, oh! I'm so sorry you think so too. Isn't it
stran