ee or four sentences she spoke he was
able to come to several conclusions regarding her: that her companion
was in a subsidiary and doubtless salaried position; that she herself
was decidedly attractive to look upon; that her voice had spoken the
whispered words; and that her present animated air might safely be
attributed rather to the fact that she addressed Count Bunker than to
the subject-matter of her reply.

No one possessed in a higher degree than the Count the nice art of
erecting a whole conversation upon the foundation of the lightest
phrase. He contrived a reply to the lady's answer, was able to put the
most natural question next, to follow that with a happy stroke of wit,
and within three minutes to make it seem the most obvious thing in the
world that he should be saying

"I am sure that Lord Tulliwuddle will never forgive me if I fail to
learn the names of any visitors who have honored him to-day."

"Mine," said the girl, her color rising slightly, but her glance as kind
as ever, "is Julia Wallingford. This is my friend Miss Minchell."

The Count bowed.

"And may I introduce myself as a friend of Tulliwuddle's, answering to
the name of Count Bunker."

Again Miss Wallingford's color rose. In a low and ardent voice she began

"I am so glad to meet you! Your name is already----"

But at that instant, when the Count was bending forward to catch the
words and the lady bending down to utter them, a hand grasped him by the
sleeve, and the Baron's voice exclaimed,

"Come, Bonker, quickly here to help me!"

He would fain have presented his lordship to the ladies, but the Baron
was too hurried to pause, and with a parting bow he was reluctantly
borne off to assist his friend out of his latest dilemma.

"Pooh, my dear Baron!" he cried, when the situation was explained to
him; "you couldn't have done more damage to their hearts if you had
hurled your hammer at them! A touch of jealousy was all that was
needed to complete your conquests. But for me you have spoiled the most
promising affair imaginable. There goes their carriage trotting down the
drive! And I shall probably never know whether my name was already in
her heart or in her prayers. Those are the two chief receptacles for
gentlemen's names, I believe--aren't they, Baron?"

On his advice the rival families were left to the soothing influences of
a good dinner and a night's sleep, and he found himself free to ponder
over his interrupted adventure.