could. To my astonishment, I evidently began to
interest her from that moment. The series of questions went on--but now
she not only listened, she was eager for the answers.

"Are there any women among you?"

"Nearly as many women as men."

Another change! Over the weary misery of her eyes there flashed a bright
look of interest which completely transformed them. Her articulation
even quickened when she put her next question.

"Are any of the women friendless creatures, who came to you from
England?"

"Yes, some of them."

I thought of Mellicent as I spoke. Was this new interest that I had so
innocently aroused, an interest in Mellicent? Her next question only
added to my perplexity. Her next question proved that my guess had
completely failed to hit the mark.

"Are there any _young_ women among them?"

Mr. Farnaby, standing with his back to us thus far, suddenly turned and
looked at her, when she inquired if there were "young" women among us.

"Oh yes," I said. "Mere girls."

She pressed so near to me that her knees touched mine. "How old?" she
asked eagerly.

Mr. Farnaby left the window, walked close up to the sofa, and
deliberately interrupted us.

"Nasty muggy weather, isn't it?" he said. "I suppose the climate of
America--"

Mrs. Farnaby deliberately interrupted her husband. "How old?" she
repeated, in a louder tone.

I was bound, of course, to answer the lady of the house. "Some girls
from eighteen to twenty. And some younger."

"How much younger?"

"Oh, from sixteen to seventeen."

She grew more and more excited; she positively laid her hand on my arm
in her eagerness to secure my attention all to herself. "American girls
or English?" she resumed, her fat, firm fingers closing on me with a
tremulous grasp.

"Shall you be in town in November?" said Mr. Farnaby, purposely
interrupting us again. "If you would like to see the Lord Mayor's
Show--"

Mrs. Farnaby impatiently shook me by the arm. "American girls or
English?" she reiterated, more obstinately than ever.

Mr. Farnaby gave her one look. If he could have put her on the blazing
fire and have burnt her up in an instant by an effort of will, I believe
he would have made the effort. He saw that I was observing him, and
turned quickly from his wife to me. His ruddy face was pale with
suppressed rage. My early arrival had given Mrs. Farnaby an opportunity
of speaking to me, which he had not anticipated in inviting me to
dinner. "Come an