s outburst that had welcomed herself and Peggy on their
arrival.

Mr. Claud Belleville was a tall, pallid youth, with blond hair carefully
arranged, pale blue eyes, in one of which an eyeglass was neatly fitted,
and a languid air. He spoke with a pronounced English accent, and, on
being presented to the other guests, said "Oh! very, very, very!" in
a most affable tone.

The Merryweathers bestirred themselves, some bringing dry garments, some
preparing a hasty meal; the guest meanwhile stood in the centre of the
hearthstone, and adjured them not to put themselves to inconvenience.

"Now, my dear people, I beg of you!" he said. "Nothing, positively
nothing, but a biscuit and a cup of tea! Really, now, I cannot allow it.
Thanks, Jerry! awfully good of you, don't you know! oh! very, very,
very! now, my dear fellow, _not_ your best coat! It is too absurd."

"It isn't my best, it's my worst!" said Gerald, bluntly.

"Oh! very good! very diverting! thanks awfully! don't mention it. Well,
Cousin Miranda, this is charming; this is positively charming. So
delightfully primitive, don't you know! oh, very, very, very! I told my
people that before I went back to Paris I must positively look you up.
It is such an age since I have seen any of you. My little cousins are
all grown up into young ladies, and such charming young ladies: I
congratulate you, Cousin, _de tout mon coeur_!"

"Thank you, Claud!" said Mrs. Merryweather, quietly. "I trust your
mother is quite well? I only received her note, and Gerald yours,
to-day. She spoke of your coming next week; if we had known that you
were coming to-night, we would have sent to the station for you."

"Ah, yes; I knew that!" said Mr. Belleville. "I know your hospitality
never fails, Cousin Miranda. But you know me, too--a butterfly--here
to-day, gone to-morrow! A summons from the Dunderblincks--races going on
at their place, don't you know; midsummer _fetes_, that sort of
thing--changed my plans. Mamma said, 'You will have to give up the Camp,
_Cheri_!' 'No!' I said. 'They expect me; I have passed my word, it is
all I have. I go to the Camp to-day.' I came--I saw--I dare not say I
conquered!" Here he bowed, and threw a killing glance at Gertrude, who
was passing at the moment, carrying the teapot.

"_Can_ this be the little Gertrude?" he added, addressing her, and
lowering his voice to a sentimental half-tone. "She has not forgotten
Cousin Claud?"

"Certainly not, Claud!" replied G