it would have been
highly indiscreet to turn a poor child's head with a stupid flattery.'

'But were you a child? If I'm right, you were not very far from fifteen at
the time I speak of.'

'How shocking that you should remember a young lady's age!'

'That is not the point at all,' said he, as though she had been
endeavouring to introduce another issue.

'And what is the point, pray?' asked she haughtily.

'Well, it is this--how many have uttered what you call stupid flatteries
since that time, and how have they been taken.'

'Is this a question?' asked she. 'I mean a question seeking to be
answered?'

'I hope so.'

'Assuredly, then, Mr. O'Shea, however time has been dealing with _me_, it
has contrived to take marvellous liberties with _you_ since we met. Do you
know, sir, that this is a speech you would not have uttered long ago for
worlds?'

'If I have forgotten myself as well as you,' said he, with deep humility,
'I very humbly crave pardon. Not but there were days, 'added he, 'when my
mistake, if I made one, would have been forgiven without my asking.'

'There's a slight touch of presumption, sir, in telling me what a wonderful
person I used to think you long ago.'

'So you did,' cried he eagerly. 'In return for the homage I laid at your
feet--as honest an adoration as ever a heart beat with--you condescended to
let me build my ambitions before you, and I must own you made the edifice
very dear to me.'

'To be sure, I do remember it all, and I used to play or sing, "_Mein
Schatz ist ein Reiter_," and take your word that you were going to be a
Lancer--

"In file arrayed,
With helm and blade,
And plume in the gay wind dancing."

I'm certain my cousin would be charmed to see you in all your bravery.'

'Your cousin will not speak to me for being an Austrian.'

'Has she told you so?'

'Yes, she said it at breakfast.'

'That denunciation does not sound very dangerously; is it not worth your
while to struggle against a misconception?'

'I have had such luck in my present attempt as should scarcely raise my
courage.'

'You are too ingenious by far for me, Mr. O'Shea,' said she carelessly. 'I
neither remember so well as you, nor have I that nice subtlety in detecting
all the lapses each of us has made since long ago. Try, however, if you
cannot get on better with Mademoiselle Kostalergi, where there are no
antecedents to disturb you.'

'I will; that is if she let me.'

'I trust she may, an