at him calmly from the depths of her chair. The
figure before her, thin, gray haired, submissive, with the long clerical
coat and deprecating air, did not promise very much, but she had no
objection to hear what he had to say in the absolute dearth of subjects
of interest. Lucy, to whom his name seemed vaguely familiar, without
recalling any distinct idea, and who was a little startled by his
immediate identification of the Contessa, came forward a little and put
a chair for him, then withdrew again, supposing his business to be with
her guest.

"I will not sit down," Mr. Churchill said, faltering a little, "till I
have said what I have no words to say. If what I am told is actually
true, and your ladyship means to confer upon me a gift so--so
magnificent--oh! pardon me--I cannot help thinking still that there must
be some extraordinary mistake."

"Oh!" Lucy began, hurriedly making a step forward again; but the
Contessa, to her surprise, accepted the address with great calm.

"Be seated, sir," Madame di Forno-Populo said, with a dignity which Lucy
was far from being able to emulate. "And pray do not hesitate to say
anything which occurs to you. I am already interested----" She waved her
hand to him with a sort of regal grace, without moving in any other way.
She had the air of a princess not deeply concerned indeed, but
benevolently willing to listen. It was evident that this reception of
him confused the stranger more and more. He became more deeply
embarrassed in sight of the perfect composure with which he was
contemplated, and cleared his throat nervously three or four times.

"I think," he said, "that there must be some mistake. It was, indeed,
impossible that it should be true; but as I heard it from two quarters
at once--and it was said to be something in the nature of a
trust---- But," he added, looking with a nervous intentness at the
unresponsive face which he could with difficulty see, "it must be, since
your ladyship does not recognise my name, a--mistake. I felt it was so
from the beginning. A lady of whom I know nothing!--to bestow what is
really a fortune--upon a man with no claim----"

He gave a little nervous laugh as he went on--the disappointment, after
such a dazzling giddy hope, took away every vestige of colour from his
face. "I will sit down for a moment, if you please," he said suddenly.
"I--am a little tired with the walk--you will excuse me, Lady
Randolph----"

"Oh, sir," cried Lucy, co