I had no idea I was in anybody's way." Sir Norman looked at the voice, or rather in the direction whence it came, and found it proceeded from a lad in gay livery, whose clear, colorless face, dark eyes, and exquisite features were by no means unknown.

The boy seemed to recognize him at the same moment, and slightly touched his gay cap.
"Ah! it is Sir Norman Kingsley! Just the very person, but one, in the world that I wanted most to see." "Indeed! And, pray, whom have I the honor of addressing ?" inquired Sir Norman, deeply edified by the cool familiarity of the accoster.
"They call me Hubert--for want of a better name, I suppose," said the lad, easily.

"And may I ask, Sir Norman, if you are shod with seven-leagued boots, or if your errand is one of life and death, that you stride along at such a terrific rate ?" "And what is that to you ?" asked Sir Norman, indignant at his free-and-easy impudence.
"Nothing; only I should like to keep up with you, if my legs were long enough; and as they're not, and as company is not easily to be had in these forlorn streets, I should feel obliged to you if you would just slacken your pace a trifle, and take me in tow." The boy's face in the moonlight, in everything but expression, was exactly that of Leoline, to which softening circumstance may be attributed Sir Norman's yielding to the request, and allowing the page to keep along side.
"I've met you once before to-night ?" inquired Sir Norman, after a prolonged and wondering stare at him.
"Yes; I have a faint recollection of seeing you and Mr.Ormiston on London Bridge, a few hours ago, and, by the way, perhaps I may mention I am now in search of that same Mr.Ormiston." "You are! And what may you want of him, pray ?" "Just a little information of a private character--perhaps you can direct me to his whereabouts." "Should be happy to oblige you, my dear boy, but, unfortunately, I cannot.

I want to see him myself, if I could find any one good enough to direct me to him.

Is your business pressing ?" "Very--there is a lady in the case; and such business, you are aware, is always pressing.