onth,
but, having done so, must also agree to wear her vestal zone yet
a little longer, till that troublesome old gentleman should have
departed.

Such being his month's work--he had not quite four weeks left when he
came to this resolution--he wisely resolved to commence it at once.

So on one Monday morning he sallied out to the Paragon about two
o'clock. At that hour he knew Miss Todd would be surely at home; for
at half-past one she ate her lunch. In the regularity of her eatings
and her drinkings, Miss Todd might have been taken as an example
by all the ladies of Littlebath. Sir Lionel's personal appearance
has been already described. Considering his age, he was very well
preserved. He was still straight; did not fumble much in his walk;
and had that decent look of military decorum which, since the days of
Caesar and the duke, has been always held to accompany a hook-nose. He
had considered much about his toilet; indeed, he did that habitually;
but on this occasion he had come to the conclusion that he had better
make no unusual sacrifice to the Graces. A touch of the curling-iron
to his whiskers, or a surtout that should be absolutely fresh from
the tailor's hands, might have an effect with Miss Baker; but if
any impression was to be made on Miss Todd, it would not be done by
curled whiskers or a new coat. She must be won, if won at all, by the
unsophisticated man.

So the unsophisticated man knocked at the door in the Paragon. Yes;
Miss Todd was at home. Up he went, and found not only Miss Todd, but
also with Miss Todd the venerable Mrs. Shortpointz, settling all the
details for a coming rubber of whist for that evening.

"Ah, Sir Lionel; how do? Sit down. Very well, my dear,"--Miss Todd
called everybody my dear, even Sir Lionel himself sometimes; but on
the present occasion she was addressing Mrs. Shortpointz--"I'll be
there at eight; but mind this, I won't sit down with Lady Ruth, nor
yet with Miss Ruff." So spoke Miss Todd, who, by dint of her suppers
and voice, was becoming rather autocratic at Littlebath.

"You shan't, Miss Todd. Lady Ruth--"

"Very well; that's all I bargain for. And now here's Sir Lionel; how
lucky! Sir Lionel, you can be so civil, and so useful. Do give Mrs.
Shortpointz your arm home. Her niece was to call; but there's been
some mistake. And Mrs. Shortpointz does not like walking alone. Come,
Sir Lionel."

Sir Lionel strove against the order; but it was in vain. He had to
yield;