I am quite in earnest." "But, my dear child, Mrs.Bellairs has your mother's promise, and I do not see how you can break a positive engagement without better reason." She stood silent, looking down.
"Are you thinking of that foolish conversation at dinner to-day?
I wonder Mrs.Bellairs should have repeated it." "It was Bella Latour who told me." "Ah," said Maurice, "I forgot her.

Of course it was.

Well, at any rate, think no more of it." "That's very easily said," she answered dolorously "but I do think it's not right," she added with energy, the hot colour rushing into her cheeks, "to speak about one so.

It is quite impertinent." Maurice laughed.

"Upon my word I believe very few young ladies would agree with you; however, I assure you it would be giving the enemy an advantage to stay away to-morrow, and I suppose, if I constitute myself your highness's body-guard, you will not be afraid of any more impertinence of the same kind." He said "Good-night," and ran down the steps.