hall be very glad to see him--though
he's an obstinate young mule. I think you'll like him."

"I do like him very much indeed," she had said. "He is so handsome--how
very like he is to you!--and he's not a bit stand-offish and superior,
like most Englishmen."

"Oh, Drake's not a bad sort of fellow," said Lord Angleford, "but he's
too fond of having his own way."

At this Lady Angleford had smiled; for she knew another member of the
family who liked his own way.

She was waiting for Drake in the drawing-room, and gave him both her
hands with a little impulsiveness which touched Drake.

"I am so glad you have come," she said; "and your uncle is very glad,
too. You won't--get to arguing, will you? You English are such dreadful
people to argue. And I think he has a slight attack of the gout, though
he was quite angry when I hinted at it this morning."

Drake sincerely hoped his uncle hadn't, for everybody's sake. At that
moment the earl came into the room, held out his hand, and said, as if
he had parted with Drake only the night before:

"How are you, Drake? Glad to see you. You've met Lady Angleford already?
Isn't it nearly dinner time?"

Drake took Lady Angleford in. There were no guests besides himself, and
they had quite a pleasant little dinner. Lady Angleford talked with all
the vivacity and charm of a cultured American who has seen both sides of
the world, and kept her eyes open, and Drake began to feel as if he had
known her for years. The earl was in a singularly good humor and
listened to, and smiled at, his young wife proudly, and talked to Drake
as if nothing had happened. It was just like old times; and Drake, as he
opened the door for Lady Angleford, on her way to the drawing-room,
smiled down at her, and nodded as she looked up at him questioningly.

Then he went back to his chair, and the butler put the Angleford port in
its wicker cradle before the earl.

"I oughtn't to touch a drop," he said, "for I've had a twinge or two
lately; but on this occasion----"

He filled his glass, and passed the bottle to Drake--the butler had left
the room.

"So you met Lady Angleford last night?"

"Yes, sir; and I take this, the first opportunity, to congratulate you.
And Lady Angleford is as charming as she is pretty; and you won't mind
my saying that I consider you an extremely lucky man."

Of course, the earl looked pleased.

"Thanks," he said; "that's very good of you, Drake--especially as my
marriage