Miss Llewellyn saw that Hetty and William were listening with open eyes to this discourse, and did not know how to stop Mr Portland’s tongue. She would fain have got rid of him altogether, but of the two evils she chose what seemed to her the least. She lowered her voice, and begged him to cease his remarks on Lord Ilfracombe till they were alone. ‘That’s the way the land lies,’ he replied, with a wink in the direction of Hetty. ‘All right, mum’s the word! How deucedly handsome you are looking to-night,’ he added in a lower voice, as he brought his bloated face in close proximity to hers. ‘Tell you what, Miss Llewellyn, Ilfracombe’s a fool!--a d--d fool, by George! to leave such a face and figure as yours, whilst he goes gallivanting after a set of noodles at Malta!’ At this remark Nell flushed indignantly, and, turning her back on the intruder, directed her attention to her sister, upon which Mr Portland, with a familiar nod, and an easy good-night, took himself away. As soon as he was out of hearing Hetty pestered Nell to tell her his name, and to confess if he was anything to her. ‘I can’t say I think he’s handsome,’ she said, with a little _moue_, ‘his face is so red, and he stares so; but do tell me the truth, Nell. Is he your young man?’ ‘My young man? Gracious, no, child! Why, I hate the fellow! I think he is the most odious, impertinent, presuming person I know! But he is a friend of Lord Ilfracombe’s, so I am obliged to be civil to him.’ ‘Ah, well, I wish you had a young man, Nell, all the same. Mother would be so glad to hear you were thinking of getting married. She often says that it is high time you were settled, and that you’re far too handsome to be single in London, for that it’s a dreadful dangerous place for girls, and especially if they’re good looking. She _would_ be pleased to hear you were keeping company with anyone that could keep you like a lady.’ ‘But I’m not, Hetty, dear, nor likely to be, so you mustn’t get any ideas of that sort into your head. But let us attend to what is going on. I hope Will and you are enjoying yourselves.’ ‘Oh, lovely!’ said Hetty, with a sigh of ineffable content. But Miss Llewellyn had not got rid of Mr Portland yet. As she was pushing her way out of the corridor when the play was over, she found him again by her side. ‘Will you be at home to-morrow, Miss Llewellyn?’ he asked in a low voice. ‘I believe so. Why?’ ‘Because I particularly want to speak to you. May I call about three?’ ‘Certainly, if you really wish to speak to me; but I cannot imagine what you can have to say that you cannot say now?’ ‘Oh, that would be quite impossible,’ rejoined Mr Portland, looking her straight in the eyes; ‘I couldn’t even explain what my business with you is, but you shall hear all about it if you will be so good as to receive me about three.’ ‘I shall be at home,’ replied Miss Llewellyn coldly, as she pushed her way out into the street and entered a passing cab with her companions.