e
constant contemplation of which served to occupy the whole of his
own time, and as much of his friends' as he could get them to
give him. But scarcely had he settled himself comfortably in an
easy chair opposite to his victim, when the butler entered again,
and announced, "Mr. St. Cloud."

Mary was now no longer at her ease. Her manner of receiving her
new visitor was constrained; and yet it was clear that he was on
easy terms in the house. She asked the butler where his mistress
was, and heard with vexation that she had gone out, but was
expected home almost immediately. Charging him to let her mother
know the moment she returned, Mary turned to her unwelcome task,
and sat herself down again with such resignation as she was
capable of at the moment. The conduct of her visitors was by no
means calculated to restore her composure, or make her
comfortable between them. She was sure that they knew one
another; but neither of then would speak to the other. There the
two sat on, each resolutely bent on tiring the other out; the
elder crooning on to her in an undertone, and ignoring the
younger, who in his turn put on an air of serene unconsciousness
of the presence of his senior, and gazed about the room, and
watched Mary, making occasional remarks to her as if no one else
were present. On and on they sat, her only comfort being the hope
that neither of them would have the conscience to stay on after
the departure of the other.

Between them Mary was driven to her wits' end, and looked for her
mother or for some new visitor to come to her help, as Wellington
looked for the Prussians on the afternoon of June 18th. At length
youth and insolence prevailed, and Mr. Smith rose to go. Mary got
up too, and after his departure remained standing, in hopes that
her other visitor would take the hint and follow the good
example. But St. Cloud had not the least intention of moving.

"Really, your good-nature is quite astonishing, Miss Porter," he
said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, and following
the pattern of one of the flowers on the carpet with his cane,
which gave him the opportunity of showing his delicately gloved
hand to advantage.

"Indeed, why do you think so?" she asked, taking up her
embroidery and pretending to begin working.

"Have I not good reason, after sitting this half-hour and seeing
you enduring old Smith--the greatest bore in London? I don't
believe there are three houses where the servants