Chiefly because though you have lived in a 'three pair back' for years, and never seen so much as a woman's ear, by your own account, you nevertheless act as if you had never been out of a drawing-room during your life.

You are the least shy man I ever saw." "Shy ?" exclaimed Claudius, "what a funny idea! Why should I be shy ?" "No reason in the world, I suppose, after all.

But it is very odd." And Mr.Barker ruminated, rolling his cigar in his mouth.

"Besides," he added, after a long pause, "you have made a conquest." "Nonsense.

Now, you have some right to flatter yourself on that score." "Miss Skeat ?" said Mr.Barker.