his lawyer, as he was about to
cross Berkeley-square, that a carriage suddenly stopped in the middle of
the road, and a female hand apparently beckoned to him from the window.
He was at first very doubtful whether he were indeed the person to
whom the signal was addressed, but as on looking around there was not
a single human being in sight, he at length slowly approached the
equipage, from which a white handkerchief now waved with considerable
agitation. Somewhat perplexed by this incident, the mystery was,
however, immediately explained by the voice of Lady Bellair.

'You wicked man,' said her little ladyship, in a great rage. 'Oh! how I
hate you! I could cut you up into minced meat; that I could. Here I have
been giving parties every night, all for you too. And you have been in
town, and never called on me. Tell me your name. How is your wife? Oh!
you are not married. You should marry; I hate a _ci-devant jeune homme_.
However, you can wait a little. Here, James, Thomas, Peter, what is your
name, open the door and let him in. There get in, get in; I have a
great deal to say to you.' And Ferdinand found that it was absolutely
necessary to comply.

'Now, where shall we go?' said her ladyship; 'I have got till two
o'clock. I make it a rule to be at home every day from two till six, to
receive my friends. You must come and call upon me. You may come every
day if you like. Do not leave your card. I hate people who leave cards.
I never see them; I order all to be burnt. I cannot bear people who
leave bits of paper at my house. Do you want to go anywhere? You do not!
Why do not you? How is your worthy father, Sir Peter? Is his name Sir
Peter or Sir Paul? Well, never mind, you know whom I mean. And your
charming mother, my favourite friend? She is charming; she is quite one
of my favourites. And were not you to marry? Tell me, why have you not?
Miss--Miss--you know whom I mean, whose grandfather was my son's friend.
In town, are they? Where do they live? Brook-street! I will go and call
upon them. There, pull the string, and tell him where they live.'

And so, in a few minutes, Lady Bellair's carriage stopped opposite the
house of Miss Grandison.

'Are they early risers?' said her ladyship; 'I get up every morning at
six. I dare say they will not receive me; but do you show yourself, and
then they cannot refuse.'

In consequence of this diplomatic movement Lady Bellair effected an
entrance. Leaning on the arm of Ferdina