ables of curios.

"Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you
have made!" began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.

But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing
compliments.

"So?" he answered stolidly.

"Indeed you have! Ri is just wild about your cleverness."

"Zat is kind of him."

"He declares you are quite an authority on European politics. Now you
will be able to tell me----"

"Ach, no! I shall not to-day, please!" interrupted the Baron hurriedly.

The heiress seemed disconcerted.

"Oh, not if you'd rather not, Lord Tulliwuddle."

"Not to-day."

"Well!"

She turned with a shrug and cast her eyes upon the wall.

"How do you like this picture? It's my latest toy. I call it just
sweet!"

He cautiously examined the painting.

"It is vary pretty."

"Do you know Romney's work?"

The Baron shrank back.

"Not again to-day, please!"

Miss Maddison opened her handsome eyes to their widest.

"My word!" she cried. "If these are Highland manners, Lord Tulliwuddle!"

In extreme confusion the Baron stammered--

"I beg your pardon! Forgif me--but--ach, not zose questions, please!"

Relenting a little, she inquired

"What may I ask you, then? Do tell me! You see I want just to know all
about you."

With an affrighted gesture the Baron turned to his friend.

"Bonker," said he, "she does vant to know yet more about me! Vill you
please to tell her."

The Count looked up from the curios with an expression so bland that the
air began to clear even before he spoke.

"Miss Maddison, I must explain that my friend's proud Highland spirit
has been a little disturbed by some inquiries, made in all good faith
by your father. No offence, I am certain, was intended; erroneous
information--a little hastiness in jumping to conclusions--a sensitive
nature wounded by the least insinuation--such were the unfortunate
causes of Tulliwuddle's excusable reticence. Believe me, if you knew
all, your opinion of him would alter very, very considerably!"

The perfectly accurate peroration to this statement produced an
immediate effect.

"What a shame!" cried Eleanor, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Lord
Tulliwuddle, I am so sorry!"

The Baron looked into these eyes, and his own mien altered perceptibly.
For an instant he gazed, and then in a low voice remarked--

"By ze Gad!"

"Once!" counted the conscientious Bunker.

"Lord Tulliwuddle," she continued, "I de