pocket, so that you
would not need to be coming all the time to me for everything that you
might want. But he has put a great sum in the bank for me to use for
you, and so you need have no care as to your ball and court dresses and
all your fineries--except the worry of having them fitted, which I find
a very great one indeed."

Then the Princess broke out in a new place.

"And did Julian send you all the way to London without a maid? Surely
such a man knew better than that. I shall scold him when I see him, but
I suppose it will be a long time before he dare come to London."

"He said that he would first need to make his peace with the Prince
Regent, and I don't believe he will do anything in the matter himself."

"Well, he has friends, and we can afford to let the killing of such a
man as Lord Wargrove in a loyal duel stand to his credit a little while
longer. Yet perhaps we may see him sooner than we expect. Your uncle,
child, is at once the most reliable and the most unexpected of men!"

Patsy let this drop. It was clearly a reflection of the Princess upon
which she was not required to comment. So she went back to the question
of travelling without a maid.

"It is true," she said, "that I had no maid--these are rather scarce in
Galloway. I only know of Lady Raincy (Louis's mother, that is) who has
one, and she is always changing. But the dearest lady in the world came
with me--you would love her--Miss Aline Minto of Balmacminto. One day I
shall bring her to see you!"

"What is the reason she did not come with you here?" said the Princess.

"Dear lady," said Patsy (the minx had learned her modes of address from
her uncle), "she is too shy. No, she is not at all the type of old
maid--she is not an old maid at all. She has a good estate, and I know
that Uncle Ju has to go to Ladykirk often to keep at bay suitors for the
estate and for Miss Aline's hand."

"Ah, has he, indeed?" said the Princess, at once showing interest; "then
I must make haste to see this Miss Aline of Ladykirk--what a pretty name
and style. I don't believe I could get my tongue round the title of her
estate. And so Julian acts as her protecting angel--"

"Oh," said Patsy calmly, "there is no love-making in it, you
understand--they are both too old, of course. But Julian is the
handsomest and richest bachelor in our parts, and Miss Aline--well, she
is Miss Aline and owner of the Balmacminto estates. So I think she and
uncle make--what is it