rn----"

"I have sat beside you for quite twenty minutes, dear sir, and in all
my days I never saw such a pitiful case of humble worship and dog-like
devotion."

"Indeed mam, I--had begun to--to hope----"

"Hope still, sir. In two months, then. Yes, two months should be
quite soon enough. How think you?" The Major was mute and before he
could find an answer there came a burst of laughter from the adjacent
shrubbery, a chorus of merriment that grew to a roar.

"Now I wonder--?" exclaimed Lady Belinda, halting suddenly, "This way,
sir." Following whither he was led the Major soon came upon the merry
company. Before them stood my lady Betty; in one hand she grasped the
Major's gold-mounted cane, upon her raven hair was perched the Major's
gold-laced hat, and now, squaring her shoulders, she began to limp to
and fro--a limp there was no mistaking. She bowed and postured,
mimicking to the life the Major's grave air, his attitude, his
diffidence, the very tones of his voice.

"Egad mam! Good-day mam and how d'ye do, mam? You behold in me a
philosopher, hence my gloom and spectre-at-the-feast air, as 'twere,
d'ye see. Despite the silvered splendour of my coat and youthful
trappings I am of antiquity hoary, mam, full o' years and wisdom, with
soul immune and far above all human foibles and frailties, and vanities
vain, as 'twere. Vices have I none, save that I do; suck tobacco
through pipe o' clay----"

Lord Alvaston, beholding the Major, choked suddenly in his laughter,
Sir Benjamin started and dropped his snuff-box, the Marquis gasped and
stared up at the sky and Lady Betty, turning about, found the Major
within a yard of her; and seeing his look of sudden pain, his flushing
cheek and the gentle reproach of his eyes, she stood motionless, struck
suddenly speechless and abashed. But now, because of her
embarrassment, he hastened to her and, to cover her distressed
confusion, laughed lightly and stooping, caught her nerveless fingers
to his lips:

"Dear my lady," said he, smiling down into her troubled eyes, "till
this moment ne'er did I think this awkward, halting gait o' mine could
seem so--so graceful as 'twere. I doubt 'twill irk me less, hereafter."

Then, gently possessing himself of hat and cane, he faced the
dumb-struck company smiling and serene and, saluting each in turn,
limped tranquilly away.

When he was gone, Lady Betty laughed shrilly, rent her laced
handkerchief in quick, passionate han