o," interrupted Lady Simon, shouting to make
herself heard, "for, you see, my husband's older brother is an invalid who
will never marry, so we shall inherit the dukedom and estates one day. This
child--" pointing to young Simon--"is a future duke."

"He has a lovely brow," said Mrs. Handsomebody, beaming at him.

Indeed, an astounding change had come over our governess. No longer was her
manner frigid; her face, so grey and hard, had softened till it seemed to
radiate benevolence. She beamed at Bill and Bunny playing at leap-frog
before her chair; she beamed at "Baby," galloping astride of her umbrella;
she beamed at Mops, trying to force a date into the mouth of a struggling
fox-terrier; she even beamed at me when I caught her eye.

"I trust that your father, the Duke, keeps well," she said to Lord Simon.

"Great old boy," he replied. "Never misses a meet. Been in at the death of
nearly four thousand foxes."

"Ah, blood will tell," breathed Mrs. Handsomebody.

"You see," interposed Lady Simon, "the Duke disinherited my husband when he
married me. Didn't approve of the Profession. I was Miss Dulcie June,
awfully well known. Photographs all over the place. Danced at the Gaiety,
y'know."

"I'm sure I have heard of you," said Mrs. Handsomebody.

"Well, the Duke and I ran into each other at a dog show last week, and he
was so struck with me, he asked to be introduced, and has asked us all to
visit him at Falden Castle. It looks hopeful, don't it?"

"Indeed, yes. But we shall be very sorry to lose you. It is so difficult
for me to find suitable companions for my wards, and your children are
so--spirited. Of course, blood will tell."

"Just what I say," assented Lady Simon, "for I was a spirited girl, if ever
there was one. What with late hours, and toe-dancin' and high-kickin', it's
a wonder how I stood it. I think I was like that Sir Galahad chap whose
'strength was as the strength of ten'--"

"Doubtless because your art was pure, my love," put in Lord Simon, with a
sly smile.

"I used to know this boy's father in those days," went on Lady Simon. "He
was a lamb."

"He was also my pupil in his youth," said Mrs. Handsomebody, and the two
talked on in the happiest fashion, till we took our leave, the whole family
following us to the door, and "Baby" returning Mrs. Handsomebody's
umbrella, and relieving her of the battledore without her having been aware
of the negotiation.

So we who had expected to be haled t