quaintance as possible with Guss Mildmay.

"You are so much younger than so many of us that are girls," said Guss,
thinking to get out of the little difficulty in that way. "And then
it's all fish that comes to his net." She hardly knew what she was
saying, but was anxious to raise some feeling that should prevent any
increased intimacy between her own lover and Lady George. It was
nothing to her whether or no she offended Lady George Germain. If she
could do her work without sinning against good taste, well; but if not,
then good taste must go to the wall. Good taste certainly had gone to
the wall.

"Upon my word, I can hardly understand you!" Then Lady George turned
away to her father. "Well, papa, has Miss Mildmay persuaded you to come
to the Institute with me?"

"I am afraid I should hardly be admitted, after what I have just said."

"Indeed you shall be admitted, Mr. Dean," said the old woman. "We are
quite of the Church's way of thinking, that no sinner is too hardened
for repentance."

"I am afraid the day of grace has not come yet," said the Dean.

"Papa," said Lady George, as soon as her visitors were gone, "do you
know I particularly dislike that younger Miss Mildmay."

"Is she worth being particularly disliked so rapidly?"

"She says nasty, impudent things. I can't quite explain what she said."
And again Lady George blushed.

"People in society now do give themselves strange liberty;--women, I
think, more than men. You shouldn't mind it."

"Not mind it?"

"Not mind it so as to worry yourself. If a pert young woman like that
says anything to annoy you, put her down at the time, and then think no
more about it. Of course you need not make a friend of her."

"That I certainly shall not do."

On the Sunday after this Lady George dined again with her father at Mr.
Houghton's house, the dinner having been made up especially for the
Dean. On this occasion the Mildmays were not there; but Captain De
Baron was one of the guests. But then he was Mrs. Houghton's cousin,
and had the run of the house on all occasions. Again, there was no
great party; Mrs. Montacute Jones was there, and Hetta,--Miss Houghton,
that is, whom all the world called Hetta,--and Mrs. Houghton's father,
who happened to be up in town. Again Lady George found herself sitting
between her host and Jack De Baron, and again she thought that Jack was
a very agreeable companion. The idea of being in any way afraid of him
did not enter into