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"I don't think Lord Bentworth meant to insult me He only said he had never seen such a red, curly o to the devil so hiry?" his voice wrathful

"No, not very; I could not be, I was shaking so with laughter If you could have seen the silly old thing, like a wizened lass--it was too coin with you,' and I wanted to know if it was the sae expression--puzzle and a else He came over close to me

"Because," I went on, "if so--I believe if that is always the beginning, I don't want any beginnings I haven't the slightest desire to kiss any one I should sihed "Oh, you are only a baby child, after all!" he said

This annoyed nity "Tea will be ready in the white drawing-room," I said, stiffly, and walked towards my bedroom door

He came after me

"Send your maid away, and let us have it up here," he said "I like this room"

But I was not to be appeased thus easily, and deliberately called Véronique and gave her fresh directions

"Poor old Mr Barton will be feeling so lonely," I said, as I went out into the passage "I a to see that he has a nice tea," and I looked back at Mr Carruthers over ether down the stairs

In the hall a footram met us He tore it open impatiently Then he looked quite annoyed

"I hope you won't mind," he said, "but a friend ofthis afternoon He is a--er--great judge of pictures I forgot I asked him to come down and look at them; it clean went out of my head"

I told hiuests he had

"Besides, I aet the packing done"

"Nonsense! How can I o at all?"