the Major's buttons
were rapidly sewn into place and my lady was in the act of nibbling the
thread when once again the ponderous menial drew nigh who, making the
utmost of his generous proportions, announced:

"Lord Alvaston, Captain West and Mr. Dalroyd----"

"O Betty!" exclaimed Lady Belinda, clasping rapturous fingers, "Mr.
Dalroyd--that charming man who was so attentive at Bath and afterwards
in London--such legs, my dear, O Gemini!"

"To see the Lady Elizabeth--most express, my ladies."

"Tell them to go--say I'm busy----"

"Betty!" wailed her aunt.

"Say I'm engaged, say----"

"O Bet--Betty--my child," twittered her aunt, "why this cruel
coldness--this harsh rigour?"

"O say I'm out--say anything!"

"Which, my lady, I did--most particular and Mr. Dalroyd remarks as how
he'll wait till you will--most determined!"

"O the dear, delightful, bold creature! And such a leg, my dear! Such
an air and--O dear heart o' me, if he isn't coming in quest of us
yonder! The dear, desperate, audacious man! I'll go greet him and do
you follow, child!"

And Lady Belinda fluttered twittering away, followed by the ponderous
lackey.

The Major sighed and glanced toward the distant ladder.

"You would appear to be in much request, madam," said he, "and faith,
'tis but natural, youth and such beauty must attract all men and----"

"All men, sir?"

"Indeed, all men who are blessed with eyes to see----"

Here chancing to meet her look he faltered and stopped.

"To see--what?" she enquired.

"'Bewitching Bet'!" he answered bowing very low.

"Ah--no!" she cried--"not you!" and turning suddenly away she broke off
a rose that bloomed near by and stood twisting it in her white fingers.

"And wherefore not?" he questioned.

"'Tis not for _your_ lips," she said, softly.

The Major whose glance happened to be wandering, winced slightly and
flushed.

"Aye--indeed, I had forgot," said he, rather vaguely--"Youth must to
youth and----"

"Must it, sir?

"Inevitably, madam, it is but natural and----"

"How vastly wise you are, Major d'Arcy!" The curl of her lip was quite
wasted on him for he was staring at the rose she was caressing.

"'Twas said also by one much wiser than I 'crabbed age and youth cannot
live together.' And you are very young, my lady and--very beautiful."

"And therefore to be pitied!" she sighed.

"In heaven's name, why?"

"For that I am a lonely maid that suffers from a plague of beaux, s