u refer to Uncle or to me?" enquired Elton.

"Why both, of course; but--" she paused and, screwing up her piquante
little face in thought she added, "but I think Uncle's the darlinger
though, don't you?"

Again she challenged Miss Brent.

"Good job my missis can't 'ear 'er," was Uncle's comment to Elton.

"There, you see!" cried the girl gaily, "Uncle talks about his wife
when I make love to him, and as for Goddy," she turned and regarded
Elton with a quizzical expression, "he treats my passion with a look
that clearly says prunes and prisms."

Miss Brent's head was beginning to whirl. Somewhere at the back of her
mind was the unuttered thought, What would Little Milstead think of
such conversation? She was brought back to Lady Meyfield's
drawing-room by hearing the brunette once more addressing her.

"They're the two most interesting men in the room. I call them the
Dove and the Serpent. Uncle has the guilelessness of the dove, whilst
Godfrey has all the wisdom of the serpent. The three of us together
would make a most perfect Garden of Eden. Wouldn't we, Goddy?"

"You are getting a little confused, Peggy," said Elton. "This is not a
fancy dress----"

"Stop him, someone!" cried the brunette, "he's going to say something
naughty."

Elton smiled, Miss Brent continued to stare, whilst Uncle with a grin
of admiration cried:

"Lor', don't she run on!"

"Now come along, Uncle!" cried the girl. "I've found some topping
chocolates, a new kind. They're priceless," and she dragged Uncle off
to the end of the table.

"Who was that?" demanded Miss Brent of Elton, disapproval in her look
and tone.

"Lady Peggy Bristowe," replied Elton.

Miss Brent was impressed. The Bristowes traced their ancestry so far
back as to make William the Norman's satellites look almost upstarts.

"She is a little overpowering at first, isn't she?" remarked Elton,
smiling in spite of himself at the conflicting emotions depicted upon
Miss Brent's face; but Lady Peggy gave her no time to reply. She was
back again like a shaft of April sunshine.

"Here, open your mouth, Goddy," she cried, "they're delicious."

Elton did as he was bid, and Lady Peggy popped a chocolate in, then
wiping her finger and thumb daintily upon a ridiculously small piece of
cambric, she stood in front of Elton awaiting his verdict.

"Like it?" she demanded, her head on one side like a bird, and her
whole attention concentrated upon Elton.

"Apart fr