'Lost my luck with the old lady long ago.' He waxed excited on a subject that drew him from his shamefacedness.

'It goes to Juley Bonner, or to Rosey; it's a toss-up which.

If I'd stuck up to Juley, I might have had a pretty fair chance.
They wanted me to, that's why I scout the premises.

But fancy Juley Bonner!' 'You couldn't, upon your honour!' rhymed the Countess.

(And Harry let loose a delighted 'Ha! ha!' as at a fine stroke of wit.) 'Are we enamoured of a beautiful maiden, Senor Harry ?' 'Not a bit,' he assured her eagerly.