He had been spoilt from his cradle, and by the time he had left Eton--Captain of the Oppidans--had ruled all those near him with a rod of iron, imposing his interesting enthusiastic personality upon all companies with unqualified success.

Miss La Sarthe fell at once.

He said exactly the right things to her and flattered her by his unfeigned interest in all she spoke of.

He was studying her as he studied any rare memento of historical value.
"My great-niece reads every morning with Mr.Carlyon," she said presently.

"Girls are expected to be so very clever nowadays, we are told.