and
seigneur_, and a serious one--that's what he is: the very type and model
of it, down to the ground. So you can imagine," the young man said,
"what he makes me feel--most of all when he's so awfully good-natured
to me. His being as 'great' as you say and yet backing me--such as I
am!--doesn't _that_ strike you as a good note for me, the best you could
possibly require? For he really _would_ like what I propose to you."

She might have been noting, while she thought, that he had risen to
ingenuity, to fineness, on the wings of his argument; under the effect
of which her reply had the air of a concession. "Yes--he would like it."

"Then he _has_ spoken to you?" her suitor eagerly asked.

"He hasn't needed--he has ways of letting one know."

"Yes, yes, he has ways; all his own--like everything else he has. He's
wonderful."

She fully agreed. "He's wonderful."

The tone of it appeared somehow to shorten at once for Lord John the
rest of his approach to a conclusion. "So you do see your way?"

"Ah--!" she said with a quick sad shrinkage.

"I mean," her visitor hastened to explain, "if he does put it to you as
the very best idea he has for you. When he does that--as I believe him
ready to do--will you really and fairly listen to him? I'm certain,
honestly, that when you know me better--!" His confidence in short
donned a bravery.

"I've been feeling this quarter of an hour," the girl returned, "that I
do know you better."

"Then isn't that all I want?--unless indeed I ought perhaps to ask
rather if it isn't all _you_ do! At any rate," said Lord John, "I may
see you again here?"

She waited a moment. "You must have patience with me."

"I _am_ having it But _after_ your father's appeal."

"Well," she said, "that must come first."

"Then you won't dodge it?"

She looked at him straight "I don't dodge, Lord John."

He admired the manner of it "You look awfully handsome as you say
so--and you see what _that_ does to me." As to attentuate a little the
freedom of which he went on: "May I fondly hope that if Lady Imber too
should wish to put in another word for me----?"

"Will I listen to her?"--it brought Lady Grace straight down. "No, Lord
John, let me tell you at once that I'll do nothing of the sort Kitty's
quite another affair, and I never listen to her a bit more than I can
help."

Lord John appeared to feel, on this, that he mustn't too easily, in
honour, abandon a person who had presented herself to