a visitor," said she, after a short mystification; "a
certain colonel, who assumes to be known to your father, but I fancy
will scarcely be remembered by him, he calls himself Haggerstone."

"Haggerstone!" said George, repeating the name twice or thrice. "Is not
that the name of the man who was always with Arlington, and of whom all
the stories are told?"

"As I never heard of Arlington's companion, nor the stories in question,
I can't say. Pray enlighten us," said Lady Hester, tartly.

"Haggerstone sounds so like the name," repeated George to himself.

"So like what name? Do be good enough to explain."

"I am unwilling to tell a story which, if not justly attributable to the
man, will certainly attach unpleasantly to his name hereafter."

"And in your excessive caution for yourself, you are pleased to forget
me, Mr. Onslow. Pray remember that if I admit him to acquaintance--"

"But surely you don't mean to do so?"

"And why not?"

"In the first place, you know nothing about him."

"Which is your fault."

"Be it so. I have at least told you enough to inspire reserve and
caution."

"Quite enough to suggest curiosity and give a degree of interest to a
very commonplace character."

"Is he young, may I ask?" said George, with a half smile.

"No, far from it."

"Good-looking?"

"Just as little."

"Very agreeable and well-mannered?"

"Rather prosy, and too military in tone for my taste."

"Does he come under the recommendatory 'firman' of any dear friend or
acquaintance?"

"Nothing of the kind. There is his passport," said she, pointing to his
visiting ticket.

"Your Ladyship used to be more difficult of access," said George, dryly.

"Very true; and so I may possibly become again. To make selections from
the world of one's acquaintance is a very necessary duty; but, as my
father used to say, no one thinks of using a sieve for chaff."

"This gentleman is, then, fortunate in his obscurity."

"Here comes Miss Onslow," said Lady Hester, "who will probably be more
grateful to me when she learns that our solitude is to be enlivened by
the gallant colonel."

Sydney scanned over the books and journals on the table, and then
quietly remarked, "If a man is to be judged of by his associates, these
do not augur very favorably for the gentleman's taste."

"I see that you are both bent on making him a favorite of mine," said
Lady Hester, pettishly; "and if Dr. Grounsell will only discover some
atrocious ci