he
Major flinched again. "Once, sir, she actually ventured forth dressed
in--in--O I blush!--in--O Modesty! O Purity!--in--O----!"

"Madam, a God's name--in what?"

"Male attire, sir--O I burn!"

The Major did the same.

"Not--you don't mean--abroad, mam, in--in 'em?"

"I do, sir, I do! She swaggered down the Mall, sir ogling the women,
and finding me alone and I not knowing her, she did so leer and nudge
me that I all but swooned 'twixt fear and modesty, sir!"

"Good God!" ejaculated the Major, faintly, "was she--alone, madam?"

"She was with her naughty brother Charles and methought he'd die of his
unseemly mirth. A wild youth, indeed and she hath the same lawless
spirit, sir. All their motherless days I have cared for 'em and what
with their waywardness and my own high-strung nature--O me!"

"I can conceive your days have not been--uneventful, mam."

"Charles is known to you, of course, sir?"

"No, mam."

"But your nephew Pancras and he are greatly intimate!"

"I've never even heard of him, madam."

"Why then you don't know that poor, naughty, misguided Charles
is--hush, they come! Yonder, sir--O Cupid, a ravishing couple!"

Lady Betty and the Viscount were approaching them, quarrelling as
usual, she bright-eyed and flushed of cheek, he handsome, debonair and
unutterably serene.

"A truly noble pair, dear Major!" sighed Lady Belinda.

"Indeed, yes, mam!"

"'Twould be an excellent match?"

"Excellent!"

"Both so well suited, so rich, so handsome----"

"And so--young, mam!"

"O sir, I yearn to have 'em married!" The Major was silent. "'Twould
tame her wildness, I warrant. How think you?"

"Belike it would, madam."

"Then let us conspire together for their good, dear sir! Let us wed
'em as soon as may be--come?"

"But mam, I--er---indeed, madam, I know nought of such things I----"

"Nay sir, never doubt but we shall contrive it betwixt us. 'Tis then
agreed--O 'twill be pure! Henceforth we are conspirators, dear Major,
O 'tis ravishing! Hush--yonder come the gentlemen to make their
adieux, I think--let us meet 'em!"

As one in a dream the Major gave her his hand and together they
rejoined the company who took leave of their host with much bowing of
backs, flirting of ruffles, flicking of handkerchiefs and tapping of
snuff-boxes. As the Major stood to watch their departure my lady Betty
beckoned him to her side:

"And pray, dear sir, hath my aunt recounted you all my sins?