"Yes," she said, "I see you are;" and she asked if I could spare her an hour or two, as she wished to speak to me of something important.

Well, of course I could only say that I had nothing particular to do,--that I was just going home.

"Then will you do me the pleasure," she said, "to come and have lunch with me?
I live in Weymouth Street, Portland Place." The young man paused to watch the effect of his narrative, especially of the last words.

Nancy returned his gaze with frank astonishment.
'What sort of lady was it ?' she asked.
'Oh, a great swell.

Somebody in the best society--you could see that at once.' 'But how old ?' 'Well, I couldn't tell exactly; about forty, I should think.' 'Oh!--Go on.' 'One couldn't refuse, you know; I was only too glad to go to a house in the West End.