spectacles, my dear lady, the better. She is very pretty, perfectly
unaffected, and, if I may presume to judge, delightfully well-bred and
well-dressed."

My stepmother's face actually brightened with pleasure. Reflecting on it
now, I am strongly disposed to think that she had not allowed her
feelings to express themselves so unreservedly, since the time when she
was a girl. After all, Mrs. Roylake was paying her step-son a compliment
in trying to entrap him into a splendid marriage. It was my duty to think
kindly of my ambitious relative. I did my duty.

"You really like my sweet Lena?" she said. "I am so glad. What were you
talking about, with her? She made you exert all your powers of
conversation, and she seemed to be deeply interested."

More over-acting! Another mistake! And I could see through it! With no
English subject which we could discuss in common, Lady Lena's ready tact
alluded to my past life. Mrs. Roylake had told her that I was educated at
a German University. She had heard vaguely of students with long hair,
who wore Hessian boots, and fought duels; and she appealed to my
experience to tell her something more. I did my best to interest her,
with very indifferent success, and was undeservedly rewarded by a patient
attention, which presented the unselfish refinements of courtesy under
their most perfect form.

But let me do my step-mother justice. She contrived to bend me to her
will, before she left the smoking-room--I am sure I don't know how.

"You have entertained the charming daughters at dinner," she reminded me;
"and the least you can do, after that, is to pay your respects to their
noble father. In your position, my dear boy, you cannot neglect our
English customs without producing the worst possible impression."

In two words, I found myself pledged, under pretence of visiting my lord,
to improve my acquaintance with Lady Lena on the next day.

"And pray be careful," Mrs. Roylake proceeded, still braving the
atmosphere of the smoking-room, "not to look surprised if you find Lord
Uppercliff's house presenting rather a poor appearance just now."

I was dying for another cigar, and I entirely misunderstood the words of
warning which had just been addressed to me. I tried to bring our
interview to a close by making a generous proposal.

"Does he want money?" I asked. "I'll lend him some with the greatest
pleasure."

Mrs. Roylake's horror expressed itself in a little thin wiry scream.

"O