ws is already engaged to be married, and who--
forgive me if I say so--has not got the same recommendations to her
favour that many of her suitors have? It is, of course, quite possible
that Mrs. Carr's society may be dangerous to you, in which case it
might be wise for you to go; but I really do not think that you need
feel any anxiety on her account. She finds you a charming companion,
and in some ways a useful one, and that is all. When you go, somebody
else will soon fill the vacant space."

"Then that's all right," said Arthur, though somehow he did not feel
as wildly delighted as he should have done at hearing it so clearly
demonstrated that Mildred did not care a brass button about him; but
then that is human nature. Between eighteen and thirty-five, ninety
per cent. of the men in the world would like to centre in themselves
the affections of every young and pretty woman they know, even if
there was not the ghost of a chance of their marrying one of them. The
same tendency is to be observed conversely in the other sex, only in
their case with a still smaller proportion of exceptions.

"By the way," asked Arthur, presently, "how is my late guardian, Mr.
George Caresfoot?"

"Not at all well, I am sorry to say. I am very anxious about his
health. He is in the south of England now for a change."

"I am sorry he is ill. Do you know, I daresay you will think me
absurd; but you have taken a weight off my mind. I always had an idea
that he wanted to marry Angela, and sometimes I am afraid that I have
suspected that Philip Caresfoot carted me off in order to give him a
chance. You see, Philip is uncommonly fond of money, and George is
rich."

"What an absurd idea, Mr. Heigham! Why, George looks upon matrimony as
an institution of the evil one. He admires Angela, I know--he always
does admire a pretty face; but as for dreaming of marrying a girl half
his age and his own cousin into the bargain, it is about the last
thing that he would do."

"I am glad to hear it. I am sure I have been uncomfortable enough
thinking about him sometimes. Lady Bellamy, will you do something for
me?"

"What is that, Mr. Heigham?"

"Tell Angela all about me."

"But would that be quite honourable, Mr. Heigham--under the conditions
of your engagement, I mean?"

"You never promised not to talk about me; I only promised not to
attempt verbal or written communication with Angela."

"Well, I will tell her that I met you, and that you ar