feeling the
combat an equal one.

Stocmar, however, reminded him that his visit was to be a mere
reconnaissance of the enemy, which under no circumstances was to become
a battle. "I am about to wait upon her with reference to a daughter she
has some thoughts of devoting to the stage,--_voila tout_ I never heard
of _you_ in my life,--never heard of for,--know absolutely nothing of
her history, save by that line in the 'Times' newspaper some six weeks
ago, which recorded the death of Captain Penthony Morris, by fever, in
Upper India."

"That will do; keep to that," cried Paten more cheerfully, as he shook
his friend's hand and said good-bye.

Your shrewd men of the world seldom like to be told that any
circumstance can arise which may put their acuteness to the test; they
rather like to believe themselves always prepared for every call upon
their astuteness. Stocmar therefore set out in a half-irritation, which
it took the three miles of his drive to subdue.

"Mrs. Penthony Morris at home?" asked he of the discreet-looking English
servant whom Sir William's home prejudices justly preferred to the
mongrel and moustachioed domestics of native breed.

"At home for Mr. Stocmar, sir," said the man, half inquiring, as he
bowed deferentially, and then led the way upstairs.

When Stocmar entered the room, he was somewhat disappointed. Whether
it was that he expected to see something more stately, haughty, and
majestic, like Mrs. Siddons herself, or that he counted upon being
received with a certain show of warmth and welcome, but the lady before
him was slight, almost girlish in figure, blushed a little when he
addressed her, and, indeed, seemed to feel the meeting as awkward a
thing as need be.

"I have to thank you very gratefully, sir," began she, "for
condescending to spare me a small portion of time so valuable as yours.
Mr. Trover says your stay here will be very brief."

"Saturday, if I must, Friday, if I can, will be the limit, madam," said
he, coldly.

"Indeed!" exclaimed she. "I was scarcely prepared for so short a visit;
but I am aware how manifold must be your engagements."

"Yes, madam. Even these seasons, which to the world are times of
recreation and amusement, are, in reality, to us periods of active
business occupation. Only yesterday I heard a barytone before breakfast,
listened to the grand chorus in the 'Huguenots' in my bath, while I
decided on the merits of a ballerina as I sat under the hands o