's place she would
not think so much about income; but her gentle speech, the eloquence
of which had an inward, rather than an outward tendency, had no
effect on Caroline. If Bertram could not persuade her, it certainly
was not probable that Adela Gauntlet should do so.

Messrs. Harcourt and Bertram reached Littlebath quite safely.
Harcourt was to dine with the ladies in Montpellier Crescent--it was
in Montpellier Crescent that Miss Baker lived--and as some sort of
party was necessary for his honour, the curate was again invited, as
were also the two Miss Gauntlets.

"You'll go on first, I suppose?" said Harcourt, when they had secured
their rooms at the "Plough," and were preparing to dress. Bertram
was well known at the "Plough" now, and there was not a boots
or chambermaid about the house who did not know why he came to
Littlebath.

"Oh, no," said Bertram, "I'll wait for you."

"I didn't know; I thought there might be some lovers' privileges to
be exercised, for which the eyes of the world might be inconvenient."

"They shall be postponed on your behalf, my dear fellow." And so the
two went off together.

They found Miss Baker in her drawing-room, and with her Adela and
aunt Penelope.

"And where is Caroline?" said George, when the introductions had been
duly performed. He had to make a little effort to say this in a voice
that should signify that he was at home there, but which should not
savour too much of the lover. On the whole, he succeeded pretty well.

"Why, to tell the truth," said Miss Baker, laughing, "she is doing
duty at this moment as head butler in the dining-room. If you feel
any vocation that way, you may go and help her."

"Well, I am a fairish good hand at drawing a cork," said Bertram, as
he left the room.

"So the lovers' privileges are all arranged for," thought Harcourt to
himself.

When Bertram entered the dining-room, the butler's duties seemed to
be complete; at any rate, Miss Waddington was not engaged in their
performance. She was leaning on the mantel-piece, and was apparently
engaged in contemplating a bouquet of flowers which Bertram had
contrived to send to the house since his arrival at Littlebath. It
was no wonder that the boots should know all about it.

Let us agree to say nothing about the lovers' privileges. Caroline
Waddington was not a girl to be very liberal of such favours, and on
the occasion in question she was not more liberal than usual.

"Is Mr. Harcourt