to be here again on
Saturday sennight to tell mother all about it."

"I am sorry to miss him," said Gainor; "but if I lose a guest I desired,
I am to have one I do not want. Mr. Josiah Langstroth has bidden himself
to dine with me."

"Uncle Josiah? I have not seen him for a month."

"There is a joss in the corner like him, Vicomte," said Miss Wynne. "If
you look at it, you will need no presentation. I pray you to avoid the
temptation of a look." Of course both young persons regarded, as she
meant they should, the china god on his ebony stand.

"A reincarnation of the bulldog," remarked Gainor, well pleased with her
phrase.

"If," said Margaret to the young man, "thou dost take my aunt or Uncle
Josiah seriously, it will be what they never do one another. They fight,
but never quarrel. My mother thinks this is because then they would stay
apart and have no more the luxury of fighting again, a thing they do
love."

"Are you sure that is thy mother's wisdom, Margaret?" said Gainor. "It
is not like her."

"If I said it was mine, thou wouldst box my ears."

"Did ever one hear the like?"

The young girl occasionally ventured, when with aunt or uncle, upon
these contributions of observation which now and then startle those who,
seeing little change from day to day, are surprised by the sudden
fruitage of developmental growth.

"I shall profit by Miss Swanwick's warning," said De Courval.

Miss Wynne, who kept both houses open, and now would not as usual, on
account of the vicomtesse, fill her country house with guests, had come
to town to dine Mr. Hamilton and to amuse herself with the young man. It
cannot be said, despite her bluff kindness, that De Courval altogether
or unreservedly liked her sudden changes of mood or the quick
transitions which more or less embarrassed and at times puzzled him.
Upon his inquiring for his mother, Miss Wynne replied:

"She is better, much better. You are to come to-morrow. You should come
more often. It is absurd, most absurd, that you are so tied to the legs
of a desk. I shall speak to my nephew."

"I beg of you, madame, to do no such thing. I am a clerk and the
youngest." And then a little ashamed of his shame, he added: "I sweep
out the office and lock up at evening. You would cause Mr. Wynne to
think I had asked you." He spoke with decision.

"It is ridiculous. I shall explain, make it easy."

Then he said, "You will pardon me, who owe you so much, but I shall have
to