I have never been able as yet to make her acquaintance, and I want to go to her house as Horner does, and that fellow Mawley." "Hush, my dear boy!" she said, in her soothing way, as if she were stroking me down the back like she stroked her tabby Tom--one of the mousiest and most petted of cats.

"You should not speak so of a clergyman, my dear Frank.

Think what the vicar would say if he heard you!" "Oh, never mind Mr Mawley," I said, somewhat petulantly; "I want to know Mrs Clyde." "Ah! that's what's the matter, is it, Frank?
Then why did you not come to old Sally before ?" "Well, Miss Pimpernell," I replied, "I never thought of you until to- night." "Never thought of me! You _are_ ungallant, Master Frank! But think of me next time, my dear boy, whenever you find yourself in a difficulty; and if Sally Pimpernell can help you out of it, she will, you may depend!" "Oh, thank you, dear Miss Pimpernell! And when will you introduce me to Mrs Clyde ?" I asked, thinking it best to "strike the iron" whilst it was "hot." "Come round to-morrow afternoon, Frank," she replied.

"She is going to be here by appointment, to see me about some charity in which she is interested; and I'll try and manage it for you then." "I'll be here, Miss Pimpernell, without fail," I said.

"I can never be sufficiently obliged to you, if you do it." "All right, my boy," she said.