certainly come and see you to-morrow. He wrote
to me this morning in answer to mine of last night, but he says he won't
go to the Zoo, so you will have to see him in your sitting-room, after
all. He will come about four."

I did not speak.

"Evangeline," she said, "promise me you won't be a fool."

"I--won't be a fool," I said.

Then she kissed me and was off, and a few moments after I also started for
Claridge's.

I have a very nice little suite right up at the top, and if only it were
respectable for me, and I could afford it, I could live here very
comfortably by myself for a long time.

At a quarter to two I was ringing the bell at 200 Carlton House
Terrace--Lady Merrenden's house--with a strange feeling of excitement and
interest. Of course, it must have been because once she had been engaged
to papa. In the second thoughts take to flash, I remembered Lord Robert's
words when I talked of coming to London alone at Branches--how he would
bring me here, and how she would be kind to me until I could "hunt round."

Oh, it came to me with a sudden stab. He was leaning over Lady Ver in the
northern train by now.

Such a stately, beautiful hall it is when the doors open, with a fine
staircase going each way, and full of splendid pictures, and the whole
atmosphere pervaded with an air of refinement and calm.

The footmen are tall, and not too young, and even at this time of the year
have powdered hair.

Lady Merrenden was up-stairs in the small drawing-room, and she rose to
meet me, a book in her hand, when I was announced.

Her manners are so beautiful in her own home--gracious, and not the least
patronizing.

"I am so glad to see you," she said. "I hope you won't be bored, but I
have not asked any one to meet you, only my nephew Torquilstone is
coming. He is a great sufferer, poor fellow, and numbers of faces worry
him at times----"

I said I was delighted to see her alone. No look more kind could be
expressed in a human countenance than is expressed in hers. She has the
same exceptional appearance of breeding that Lord Robert has--tiny ears
and wrists and head; even dressed as a char-woman Lady Merrenden would
look like a great lady.

Very soon we were talking without the least restraint. She did not speak
of people or of very deep things, but it gave one the impression of an
elevated mind and a knowledge of books, and wide thoughts. Oh, I could
love her so easily.

We had been talking for nearly a q