or untrue," said I.

My aunt sighfully acquiesced, and for a while we discussed the depravity
of human nature.

"I have been thinking," she said at last, "that if you brought your
ward to see us, and she could accompany us on this cruise to Norway, the
scandal would be scotched outright."

She glanced at me very keenly, and beneath her indulgent smile I saw the
hardness of the old campaigner. It was a clever trap she had prepared
for me.

I took her hand and in my noblest manner, like the exiled vicomte in
costume drama, bent over it and kissed her finger-tips.

"I thank you, my dear aunt, for your generous faith in my integrity," I
said, "and I assure you your confidence is well founded."

A loud, gay laugh from the other room interrupted me.

"Are you two rehearsing private theatricals?" cried Dora. As I was
attired in a remarkably old college blazer and a pair of yellow Moorish
slippers bought a couple of years ago in Tangier, and as my hair was
straight on end, owing to a habit of passing my fingers through it while
I work, my attitude perhaps did not strike a spectator as being so noble
as I had imagined. I took advantage of the anti-climax, however, to
bring my aunt from the balcony to the centre of the room, where Dora
joined us.

"Well, has mother prevailed?"

"My dear Dora," said I, politely, "how can you imagine it could possibly
be a question of persuasion?"

"That might be taken two ways," said Dora. "Like Palmerston's 'Dear Sir,
I'll lose no time in reading your book.'" Dora is a minx.

"I fear," said I, "that my pedantic historical sense must venture to
correct you. It was Lord Beaconsfield."

"Well, he got it from Palmerston," insisted Dora.

"You children must not quarrel," interposed my aunt, in the fond,
maternal tone which I find peculiarly unpleasant. "Marcus will see how
his engagements stand, and let us know in a day or two."

"When do you propose to start?" I asked.

"Quite soon. On the 20th.

"I will let you know finally in good time," said I.

As I accompanied them downstairs, I heard a door at the end of the
passage open, and turning I saw Carlotta's pretty head thrust past the
jamb, and her eyes fixed on the visitors. I motioned her back, sharply,
and my aunt and Dora made an unsuspecting exit. The noise of their
departing chariot wheels was music to my ears.

Carlotta came rushing out of her sitting-room followed by Miss Griggs,
protesting.

"Who those fine ladies?" s