our
tastes."

"Can't you indeed, now?" Then again there was a silence, and Captain
Clavering was beginning to think that he must go. He was willing to work
hard at talking or anything else; but he could not work if no ground for
starting were allowed to him. He thought he must go, though he was aware
that he had not made even the slightest preparation for future obedience
to his friend's precepts. He began to feel that he had commenced
wrongly. He should have made her know that he was there from the first
moment of her entrance into the room. He must retreat now in order that
he might advance with more force on the next occasion. He had just made
up his mind to this and was doubting how he might best get himself out
of his chair with the purpose of going, when sudden relief came in the
shape of another visitor. The door was thrown open and Madam Gordeloup
was announced.

"Well, my angel," said the little woman, running up to her friend and
kissing her on either side of her face. Then she turned round as though
she had only just seen the strange gentleman, and curtseyed to him.
Captain Clavering, holding his hat in both his hands, bowed to the
little woman.

"My sister's brother-in-law, Captain Clavering," said Lady Ongar. "Madam
Gordeloup."

Captain Clavering bowed again. "Ah, Sir Oo's brother," said Madam
Gordeloup. "I am very glad to see Captain Clavering; and is your sister
come?"

"No; my sister is not come."

"Lady Clavering is not in town this Spring," said the captain.

"Ah, not in town! Then I do pity her. There is only de one place to live
in, and that is London, for April, May, and June. Lady Clavering is not
coming to London?"

"Her little boy isn't quite the thing," said the captain.

"Not quite de ting?" said the Franco-Pole in an inquiring voice, not
exactly understanding the gentleman's language.

"My little nephew is ill, and my sister does not think it wise to bring
him to London."

"Ah; that is a pity. And Sir Oo? Sir Oo is in London?"

"Yes," said the captain; "my brother has been up some time."

"And his lady left alone in the country? Poor lady! But your English
ladies like the country. They are fond of the fields and the daisies. So
they say; but I think often they lie. Me; I like the houses, and the
people, and the pave. The fields are damp, and I love not rheumatism at
all." Then the little woman shrugged her shoulders and shook herself.
"Tell us the truth, Julie; which do you l