is very handsome, indeed. I never
saw any one at all like him before--any one half so handsome and
self-possessed. I liked him very much because he talked so well,
and was so witty. I had on the gray satin when he came, and the
train hung beautifully. I am glad we made it with a train, Pamela.
I think I shall wear the purple cloth to-night, as Lady
Throckmorton said that perhaps he might drop in again, and he knows
so many grand people, that I should like to look nice. There seems
to be a queer sort of friendship between aunt and himself, though
somehow I fancied he did not care much about what she said to him.
He is engaged to be married to a very accomplished young lady, and
has been for several years; but they were both too poor to be
married until now. The young lady's name is Priscilla Gower; and
Lady Throckmorton does not like her, which seems very strange to
me. She is as poor as we are, I should imagine, for she gives
French and Latin lessons, and lives in a shabby house. But I don't
think that is the reason Lady Throckmorton does not like her. I
believe it is because she thinks she is not suited to Mr.
Oglethorpe. I hope she is mistaken, for Mr. Oglethorpe is very nice
indeed, and very clever. He is a journalist, and has written a book
of beautiful poetry. I found the volume this morning, and have been
reading it all day. I think it is lovely; but Lady Throckmorton
says he wrote it when he was very young, and makes fun of it now. I
don't think he ought to, I am sure. I shall buy a copy before I
return, and bring it home to show you. I will write to mamma in a
day or so. With kisses and love, and a hundred thanks again for the
dresses, I remain, my dearest Pamela, your loving and grateful,

"THEO."

CHAPTER III.

THE MEETING.

But Denis Oglethorpe did not appear again for several days. Perhaps
business detained him; perhaps he went oftener to see Priscilla. At any
rate, he did not call again until the end of the week.

Lady Throckmorton was in her private room when he came, and as he made
his entrance with as little ceremony as usual, he ran in upon Theodora.
Now, to tell the truth, he had, until this moment, forgotten all about
that young person's very existence. He saw so many pretty girls in a
day's round, and he was so often too busy to notice half of them--thou