inct for
conducting herself as smilingly as though they were the greatest wits
about the town. The envious of her sex declared that it was because she
scarcely recognized the difference; but be that as it may, it served her
on this occasion in the most admirable stead. She detached the agitated
peer from the thickest of the throng, propped him beside her against the
wall, and by her kindness at length unloosed his tongue. Then it was
she began to suspect that his nervous manner must surely be due to some
peculiar circumstance rather than mere constitutional shyness. Made
observant by her keen curiosity, she noticed at first a worried, almost
hunted, look in his eyes and an extreme impatience of scrutiny by
his fellow-guests; but as he gained confidence in her kindness and
discretion these passed away, and he appeared simply a garrulous young
man, with a tolerably good opinion of himself.

"Poor fellow! He is in trouble of some kind. Something to do with Eva,
of course!" she said to her sympathetically.

The genuine Tulliwuddle had indeed some cause for perturbation. After
keeping himself out of the way of all his friends and most of his
acquaintances ever since the departure of his substitute, hearing
nothing of what was happening at Hechnahoul, and living in daily dread
of the ignominious exposure of their plot, he had stumbled by accident
against his aunt, explained his prolonged absence from her house with
the utmost difficulty, and found himself forced to appease her wounded
feelings by appearing where he least wished to be seen--in a crowded
London reception-room. No wonder the unfortunate young man seemed
nervous and ill at ease.

As for Alicia, she was consumed with anxiety to know why he was here
and not in Scotland, as Sir Justin had supposed; and, indeed, to learn
a number of things. And now they were rapidly getting on sufficiently
familiar terms for her to put a tactful question or two. Encouraged by
her sympathy, he began to touch upon his own anxieties.

"A young man ought to get married, I suppose," he remarked
confidentially.

The Baroness smiled.

"That depends on whether he likes any one well enough to marry her,
doesn't it?"

He sighed.

"Do you think--honestly now," he said solemnly, "that one should marry
for love or marry for money?"

"For love, certainly!"

"You really think so? You'd advise--er--advise a fellow to blow the
prejudices of his friends, and that sort of thing?"

"I sh