rare pomatum. "Just what I
want, it seems, for my head." He rubbed the shaving cream into his
bristly iron-gray hair, until his arms ached. When he had next sprinkled
his handkerchief and himself profusely, first with rose water, and then
(to make quite sure) with eau-de-cologne used as a climax, he felt that
he was in a position to appeal agreeably to the senses of the softer
sex. In five minutes more, he was on his way to Mr. Farnaby's private
residence.

CHAPTER 2

The rain that had begun with the morning still poured on steadily in the
afternoon. After one look out of the window, Regina decided on passing
the rest of the day luxuriously, in the company of a novel, by her own
fireside. With her feet on the tender, and her head on the soft cushion
of her favourite easy-chair, she opened the book. Having read the first
chapter and part of the second, she was just lazily turning over the
leaves in search of a love scene, when her languid interest in the novel
was suddenly diverted to an incident in real life. The sitting-room door
was gently opened, and her maid appeared in a state of modest confusion.

"If you please, miss, here's a strange gentleman who comes from Mr.
Goldenheart. He wishes particularly to say--"

She paused, and looked behind her. A faint and curious smell of mingled
soap and scent entered the room, followed closely by a tall, calm,
shabbily-dressed man, who laid a wiry yellow hand on the maid's
shoulder, and stopped her effectually before she could say a word more.

"Don't you think of troubling yourself to git through with it, my
dear; I'm here, and I'll finish for you." Addressing the maid in
these encouraging terms, the stranger advanced to Regina, and actually
attempted to shake hands with her! Regina rose--and looked at him.
It was a look that ought to have daunted the boldest man living; it
produced no sort of effect on _this_ man. He still held out his hand;
his lean face broadened with a pleasant smile. "My name is Rufus
Dingwell," he said. "I come from Coolspring, Mass.; and Amelius is my
introduction to yourself and family."

Regina silently acknowledged this information by a frigid bow, and
addressed herself to the maid, waiting at the door: "Don't leave the
room, Phoebe."

Rufus, inwardly wondering what Phoebe was wanted for, proceeded to
express the cordial sentiments proper to the occasion. "I have heard
about you, miss; and I take pleasure in making your acquaintance."