ve a cast of Marochetti's bust of you, and
yet does not like to ask for it. May I venture--"

"Too great an honor to me," muttered Dunn. "Would you--I mean, would
he--accept--"

"Yes, I will, and with gratitude; not but I think the likeness hard and
harsh. It is, very probably, what you are to that marvellous world
of politicians and financiers you live amongst, but not such as your
friends recognize you,--what you are to-day, for instance."

"And what may that be," asked he, playfully.

"I was going to say an impudence, and I only caught myself in time."

"Do, then, let me hear it," said he, eagerly, "for I am quite ready to
cap it with another."

"Yours be the first, then," said she, laughing. "Is it not customary to
put the amendment before the original motion?"

Both Mr. Dunn and his fair companion were destined to be rescued from
the impending indiscretion by the arrival of Lord Glengariff, who,
mounted on his pony, suddenly appeared beside them.

"Well, Dunn," cried he, as he came up, "has she made a convert of you?
Are you going to advocate the great project here?"

Dunn looked sideways towards Lady Augusta, who, seeing his difficulty,
at once said, "Indeed, papa, we never spoke of the scheme. I doubt if
either of us as much as remembered there was such a thing."

"Well, I'm charmed to find that your society could prove so fascinating,
Augusta," said Lord Glengariff, with some slight irritation of manner,
"but I must ask of Mr. Dunn to bear with me while I descend to the very
commonplace topic which has such interest for me. The very spot we stand
on is admirably suited to take a panoramic view of our little bay, the
village, and the background. Carry your eyes along towards the rocky
promontory on which the stone pines are standing; we begin there."

Now, most worthy reader, although the noble Lord pledged himself to
be brief, and really meant to keep his word, and although he fancied
himself to be graphic,--truth is truth,--he was lamentably prolix
and confused beyond all endurance. As for Dunn, he listened with
an exemplary patience; perhaps his thoughts were rambling away
elsewhere,--perhaps he was compensated for the weariness by the
occasional glances which met him from eyes now downcast, now bent softly
upon him. Meanwhile the old Lord floundered on, amidst crescents
and bathing-lodges, yacht stations and fisheries, aiding his memory
occasionally with little notes, which, as he contrived to mis