't got on
clothes enough. Why, look here, old man--she's one of the Virtues, and
that's the rig in which they always travel. She's a 'Temperance' or a
'Charity' or a 'Resignation,' or something of that kind. You'll find her
name there in French somewhere at the foot of the marble."

Leyton saw his mistake, but felt--as others sometimes felt--a doubt
whether this smileless man was not inwardly laughing at him. He replied,
with a keen, rapid glance at his host:--

"I was referring to some woman who stood in that doorway just now, and
addressed me rather familiarly, thinking it was you."

"Oh, the Signora," said Rushbrook, with undisturbed directness; "well,
you saw her at Los Osos last summer. Likely she DID think you were me."

The cool ignoring of any ulterior thought in Leyton's objection forced
the guest to be equally practical in his reply.

"Yes, but the fact is that Miss Nevil had talked of coming here with me
this evening to see you on her own affairs, and it wouldn't have been
exactly the thing for her to meet that woman."

"She wouldn't," said Rushbrook, promptly; "nor would YOU, if you had
gone into the parlor as Miss Nevil would have done. But look here! If
that's the reason why you didn't bring her, send for her at once; my
coachman can take a card from you; the brougham's all ready to fetch
her, and there you are. She'll see only you and me." He was already
moving towards the bell, when Leyton stopped him.

"No matter now. I can tell you her business, I fancy; and in fact, I
came here to speak of it, quite independently of her."

"That won't do, Leyton," interrupted Rushbrook, with crisp decision.
"One or the other interview is unnecessary; it wastes time, and isn't
business. Better have her present, even if she don't say a word."

"Yes, but not in this matter," responded Leyton; "it's about Somers. You
know he's been very attentive to her ever since her uncle left her here
to recruit her health, and I think she fancies him. Well, although she's
independent and her own mistress, as you know, Mrs. Leyton and I are
somewhat responsible for her acquaintance with Somers,--and for that
matter so are you; and as my wife thinks it means a marriage, we ought
to know something more positive about Somers's prospects. Now, all we
really know is that he's a great friend of yours; that you trust a good
deal to him; that he manages your social affairs; that you treat him
as a son or nephew, and it's generally bel