ild whom he now
expects us to recognise as the heir to the title. I for one am not
prepared to accept his word without evidence, and I shall have no
scruple in letting him know that such evidence will be wanted."

CHAPTER XV.

"DROP IT."

For ten or twelve days after the little dinner in Berkeley Square Guss
Mildmay bore her misfortunes without further spoken complaint. During
all that time, though they were both in London, she never saw Jack De
Baron, and she knew that in not seeing her he was neglecting her. But
for so long she bore it. It is generally supposed that young ladies
have to bear such sorrow without loud complaint; but Guss was more
thoroughly emancipated than are some young ladies, and when moved was
wont to speak her mind. At last, when she herself was only on foot with
her father, she saw Jack De Baron riding with Lady George. It is quite
true that she also saw, riding behind them, her perfidious friend, Mrs.
Houghton, and a gentleman whom at that time she did not know to be Lady
George's father. This was early in March, when equestrians in the park
are not numerous. Guss stood for a moment looking at them, and Jack De
Baron took off his hat. But Jack did not stop, and went on talking with
that pleasant vivacity which she, poor girl, knew so well and valued so
highly. Lady George liked it too, though she could hardly have given
any reason for liking it, for, to tell the truth, there was not often
much pith in Jack's conversation.

On the following morning Captain De Baron, who had lodgings in Charles
Street close to the Guards' Club, had a letter brought to him before
he was out of bed. The letter was from Guss Mildmay, and he knew the
handwriting well. He had received many notes from her, though none so
interesting on the whole as was this letter. Miss Mildmay's letter to
Jack was as follows. It was written, certainly, with a swift pen, and,
but that he knew her writing well, would in parts have been hardly
legible.

"I think you are treating me very badly. I tell you openly and
fairly. It is neither gentlemanlike or high spirited, as you know
that I have no one to take my part but myself. If you mean to cut
me, say so, and let me understand it at once. You have taken up
now with that young married woman just because you know it will
make me angry. I don't believe for a moment that you really care
for such a baby-faced chit as that. I have met her too, a