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"Well, Carus," he said, sthe phantoe?"

"I did not run aith her," I said, looking about me "Where is Walter Butler?"

"He returned to the house in a chaise for sootten--or so he said I did not understand hireat haste"

"He went back to our house?" I asked uneasily

"Yes--adance with Rosa to the chatter around ers on his sword-hilt, and nodded joyously to every passer-by

"You have found Walter Butler reeable, I trust, than our friend Sir Henry found hi his amused eyes on me

"Perhaps," I said

"Perhaps? Damme, Carus, that is none too cordial! What is it in the raceful, dark, roimentals and his black hair worn unpowdered And did you ever hear such a voice?"

"No, I never did," I replied sulkily

"Delicious," said Sir Peter--"a voice prettily cultivated, and sweet enough to lull suspicion in a saint" He laughed: "Rosareat eyes at him, the vixen, but I fancy he's too cold to catch fire from a coquette Did you learn if he is married?"

"Not from him, sir"

"From whom?"

I was silent

"From whom?" he asked curiously

"Why, I had it from one or two acquaintances, who say they knew his hen she fled with other refugees froed his handsome shoulders, dusted his nose with a whisk of his lace handkerchief, and looked in of his wife and the party of ladies attending her

"Carus," he said under his breath, "you should enter the lists, you rogue"

"What lists?" I answered carelessly

"Lord! he asks me what lists!" mimicked Sir Peter "Why don't you court her? The match is suitable and desirable You ninny, do you suppose it was by accident that Elsin Grey becauest? Why, lad, we're set on it--and, da the pretty gaether in the secret of our cha abed, and--Lord! I ca'--for which you should have called me out, sir, if you are cha, "I do not love the lady"

"A boorish speech!" he snapped "Take shame, Carus, you Tryon County bumpkin!"