r occupancy, and hastened to pour out a glass of wine, which he
insisted on my drinking. As soon as I could find my voice, "In God's
name," I cried, "where am I?"

He told me I was in his house, where I was very welcome, and had no more
urgent business than to rest myself and recover my spirits. As he spoke
he offered me another glass of wine, of which, indeed, I stood in great
want, for I was faint, and inclined to be hysterical. Then he sat down
beside the fire, lit another cigar, and for some time observed me
curiously in silence.

"And now," said he, "that you have somewhat restored yourself, will you
be kind enough to tell me in what sort of crime I have become a partner?
Are you murderer, smuggler, thief, or only the harmless and domestic
moonlight flitter?"

I had been already shocked by his lighting a cigar without permission,
for I had not forgotten the one he threw away on our first meeting; and
now, at these explicit insults, I resolved at once to reconquer his
esteem. The judgment of the world I have consistently despised, but I
had already begun to set a certain value on the good opinion of my
entertainer. Beginning with a note of pathos, but soon brightening into
my habitual vivacity and humour, I rapidly narrated the circumstances of
my birth, my flight, and subsequent misfortunes. He heard me to an end
in silence, gravely smoking. "Miss Fanshawe," said he, when I had done,
"you are a very comical and most enchanting creature; and I can see
nothing for it but that I should return to-morrow morning and satisfy
your landlady's demands."

"You strangely misinterpret my confidence," was my reply; "and if you
had at all appreciated my character, you would understand that I can
take no money at your hands."

"Your landlady will doubtless not be so particular," he returned; "nor
do I at all despair of persuading even your unconquerable self. I desire
you to examine me with critical indulgence. My name is Henry Luxmore,
Lord Southwark's second son. I possess nine thousand a year, the house
in which we are now sitting and seven others in the best neighbourhoods
in town. I do not believe I am repulsive to the eye, and as for my
character, you have seen me under trial. I think you simply the most
original of created things; I need not tell you what you know very well,
that you are ravishingly pretty; and I have nothing more to add, except
that foolish as it may appear, I am already head over heels in love with