M."

_Lady G_. A Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel! That is a mixture
that ought to suit you, Elaine.

_El_. Quite as well as a Tory, a spendthrift, and a bigot, which is the
one I usually meet in society, mamma. But please do not let us quarrel.
I always try to be polite to your mixtures. For Mr Gresham's sake, be
civil to mine.

_Lady G_. For Mr Gresham's sake, indeed! What have you done for Mr
Gresham's sake that puts me under an obligation to him? However, I
suppose we must ask the man to dinner. Is there any address on his card?

_El_. 20 Heavitree Gardens.

_Lady G_. One of those millionaire palaces, I suppose, in the back
regions of South Kensington. The carriage is waiting, so I shall leave
you to write the invitation. You had better ask him for Tuesday, when we
have got some people coming to dinner.

[_Exit_ Lady Gules.

_El_. [_taking up the letter, reads_]. "Now chiefly occupies himself
with works of charity and benevolence. One of his special hobbies is the
introduction of aesthetic principles into _Kindergartens_." How
refreshing to meet a man at last who takes a living interest in the
welfare of his fellow-creatures! I am sure I shall like him. [ _Writes,
and rings the bell_.]

_Enter_ Charles.

_Lady E_. Please put this in the post, Charles. [_Exit_ Charles.] Now
I must go and get ready to go out riding with papa, and reconcile him to
the dreadful idea of having "a Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel" at
his dinner-table. [_Exit_ Elaine.

(_A month elapses_.)

SCENE IV.--Lady Gules's Boudoir. Lord and Lady Gules.

_Lord G_. I tell you what it is, my dear--we've only known that fellow
Plumper a month, and he has already completely captivated Elaine with his
_Kindergarten_, and his sunflowers, and his hatred of the landed interest
and Irish coercion, and love of the _cloture_ and humanity, and Buddha
and Brahma, and Zoroaster and Mahomet, and all the rest of them. I must
really take steps to find out whether Gresham was well informed about his
reputed wealth. I shall ride down and take a look at 20 Heavitree
Gardens to-morrow. I haven't met a single man at the Club who has ever
heard of him.

_Lady G_. It's no use: if he should turn out a pauper, or even a
swindler, I am afraid Elaine will marry him. I saw it in her eye last
night; and so, I should think, did he. He certainly can't complain of
not receiving encouragement. I only wonder that he has not