make his call upon Barbara, when it should come, an inconspicuous
event. To his surprise, his entrance thus into society created something
of a flutter among the women-folk, especially the married women who had
marriageable daughters, or who were matchmakingly interested in other
young women, not their daughters.

For Guilford Duncan, the moment he was thought of as a social factor,
and a matrimonial possibility, was seen to be the "best catch" in the
little city, the most desirable young man in the town. He was young and
distinctly handsome. He was a man of education, culture, and superior
intelligence. His manners were easy, polished, and very winning.
Especially he treated women with a certain chivalric deference, that
pleased them even more than they knew. Captain Will Hallam's wife, who
was the social leader of the city, said to him one day:

"You must be careful what you do in the way of paying attention to young
women. A very little attention on your part is apt to mean a great deal
to a girl--and still more to her mamma."

"But why should it?" asked Duncan, in unfeigned astonishment. "Why
should ordinary social courtesy on my part mean more than the same thing
means in the case of any other young man?"

"I don't know that I can tell you," she answered. "At least, I don't
know that I can make you understand."

"I sincerely wish you would try. I certainly do not want to----" He
hesitated, and did not complete the sentence.

"Oh, I know all that. I know what you mean, because it is what I mean. I
tell you that if you pay more than just a little, and a very casual,
attention to any girl, the girl, and, worse still, all her elderly
female relatives, are likely to misconstrue your motives. You are in
serious danger of breaking some tender hearts, and winning for yourself
the reputation of being that most detestable thing--a male flirt."

"But really, Mrs. Hallam," interrupted the perplexed young man, "I don't
understand----"

"Of course you don't, and of course I'm glad you don't. You'd be a
detestably conceited popinjay if you did. But I do, and in a strictly
limited way I'm going to explain it to you for your own good, and as a
warning. I can't explain it fully without treason to my own sex. But
I'll tell you this much: you have a singularly pleasing, soothing,
caressing, and most winning manner with women--all women. You are
respectful--no, that isn't the word. You are courteously gentle and
deferential, a