nly talking to a stranger, Neigh
would probably have felt their conversation to be no business of his,
much as he might have been surprised to find her giving audience to
another man at such a place. But his impression that the voice was that
of his acquaintance, Lord Mountclere, coupled with doubts as to its
possibility, was enough to lead him to rise from the chair and put his
head out of the window.

Upon a balcony beneath him were the speakers, as he had
suspected--Ethelberta and the viscount.

Looking right and left, he saw projecting from the next window the head
of his friend Ladywell, gazing right and left likewise, apparently just
drawn out by the same voice which had attracted himself.

'What--you, Neigh!--how strange,' came from Ladywell's lips before he had
time to recollect that great coolness existed between himself and Neigh
on Ethelberta's account, which had led to the reduction of their intimacy
to the most attenuated of nods and good-mornings ever since the Harlequin-
rose incident at Cripplegate.

'Yes; it is rather strange,' said Neigh, with saturnine evenness. 'Still
a fellow must be somewhere.'

Each then looked over his window-sill downwards, upon the speakers who
had attracted them thither.

Lord Mountclere uttered something in a low tone which did not reach the
young men; to which Ethelberta replied, 'As I have said, Lord Mountclere,
I cannot give you an answer now. I must consider what to do with Mr.
Neigh and Mr. Ladywell. It is too sudden for me to decide at once. I
could not do so until I have got home to England, when I will write you a
letter, stating frankly my affairs and those of my relatives. I shall
not consider that you have addressed me on the subject of marriage until,
having received my letter, you--'

'Repeat my proposal,' said Lord Mountclere.

'Yes.'

'My dear Mrs. Petherwin, it is as good as repeated! But I have no right
to assume anything you don't wish me to assume, and I will wait. How
long is it that I am to suffer in this uncertainty?'

'A month. By that time I shall have grown weary of my other two
suitors.'

'A month! Really inflexible?'

Ethelberta had returned inside the window, and her answer was inaudible.
Ladywell and Neigh looked up, and their eyes met. Both had been
reluctant to remain where they stood, but they were too fascinated to
instantly retire. Neigh moved now, and Ladywell did the same. Each saw
that the face of his companion