Primleigh had likewise
displayed a coolness to me for some weeks past. "I wonder," I said,
continuing in this strain, "why this should be and why she should
likewise single you out as a recipient of her disapproval--or let us say
her disfavour?"

"Can't you guess?" said Miss Hamm, with an arch expression and a
peculiar inflection in her words. Puzzled, I shook my head.

At this juncture another interruption occurred. A caller in the person
of a Mr. Pomeroy was announced by the maidservant. I had heard Miss Hamm
refer to this person on divers preceding occasions and from the outset
had taken a dislike to the sound of his name. It would appear that he
resides in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and that he knew Miss Hamm
and her uncle ere their removal to these parts. It would appear also
that he arrived here this afternoon with the avowed intention of
remaining several days in our peaceful community--why, though, I know
not, unless it be that perversely he would inflict himself upon a young
lady who conceivably cannot possibly be interested in his society or in
the idle vapourings of his mind.

Almost immediately this Mr. Pomeroy was ushered into our presence. His
appearance, his demeanour, his entire ensemble, were such as to confirm
in me the prejudice engendered against him e'en before I beheld him in
the flesh. His dress was of an extravagant and exaggerated style, and
his overly effusive manner of greeting Miss Hamm extremely distasteful,
while his attitude toward me was one of flamboyant familiarity;
altogether I should say a young man of forward tendencies, shallow,
flippant, utterly lacking in the deeper and finer sensibilities which
ever distinguish those of true culture, and utterly disregardful of the
proper and ordained conventionalities. In conversation he is addicted to
vain follies and meaningless witticisms, and his laughter, in which he
is prone to indulge without due cause so far as I can note, has a most
grating sound upon the ear. In short, I do not care for this young man;
freely and frankly I confess it here.

I had meant to stay on until he had betaken himself away, being minded
to have a few words in private with Miss Hamm touching upon Miss
Primleigh's peculiar and inexplicable attitude toward us, but since he
persisted in remaining on and on, I, having a proper regard for the
proprieties, was constrained shortly after eleven o'clock to depart. As
I was upon the point of going, he halted me,