As Lashmar came forward, she finished what she was saying, and turned her eyes upon him with expectant interest; a smile at the corner of her lips had a certain mischievousness, quite good-humoured but a little perturbing to one who encountered it, together with the direct dark gaze, for the first time.

Introduction having been performed with Lady Ogram's wonted carelessness, Mrs.Toplady said at once: "I know a friend of yours, Mr.Lashmar,--Mrs.Woolstan.

Perhaps she has spoken to you of me ?" "She has," Dyce replied, remembering now that it was from Mrs.Woolstan he had heard her name.
"Why, how's that ?" exclaimed the hostess.

"You never told me about it, Mr.Lashmar." Dyce had much ado to conceal his annoyed embarrassment.

He wondered whether Mrs.Woolstan had made known the fact of his tutorship, which he did not care to publish, preferring to represent himself as having always held an independent position.