nd
the easy impertinence of his manner was almost too much for the other's
patience.

'I don't care for your speculations--I want to hear what passed between you
and the Greek girl.'

'The Greek girl will in a very few days be Mrs. Walpole, and I shall crave
a little more deference for the mention of her.'

'I forgot her name, or I should not have called her with such freedom! What
is it?'

'Kostalergi. Her father is Kostalergi, Prince of Delos.'

'All right; it will read well in the _Post_.'

'My dear friend, there is that amount of sarcasm in your conversation this
evening, that to a plain man like myself, never ready to reply, and easily
subdued by ridicule, is positively overwhelming. Has any disaster befallen
you that you are become so satirical and severe?'

'Never mind _me_--tell me about yourself,' was the blunt reply.

'I have not the slightest objection. When we had walked a little way
together, and I felt that we were beyond the risk of interruption, I led
her to the subject of my sudden reappearance here, and implied that she,
at least, could not have felt much surprise. "You remember," said I, "I
promised to return?"

'"There is something so conventional," said she, "in these pledges, that
one comes to read them like the 'yours sincerely' at the foot of a letter."

'"I ask for nothing better," said I, taking her up on her own words, "than
to be 'yours sincerely.' It is to ratify that pledge by making you 'mine
sincerely' that I am here."

'"Indeed!" said she slowly, and looking down.

'"I swear it!" said I, kissing her hand, which, however, had a glove on.'

'Why not her cheek?'

'That is not done, major mine, at such times.'

'Well, go on.'

'I can't recall the exact words, for I spoke rapidly; but I told her I was
named Minister at a foreign Court, that my future career was assured, and
that I was able to offer her a station, not, indeed, equal to her deserts,
but that, occupied by her, would be only less than royal.'

'At Guatemala!' exclaimed the other derisively.

'Have the kindness to keep your geography to yourself,' said Walpole. 'I
merely said in South America, and she had too much delicacy to ask more.'

'But she said Yes? She consented?'

'Yes, sir, she said she would venture to commit her future to my charge.'

'Didn't she ask you what means you had? what was your income?'

'Not exactly in the categorical way you put it, but she alluded to the
possible style we should