"Mustn't touch--naughty boy!" she cried. "How could you?" "Oh, all right," said Elbraham, grinning hugely at the idea of not being allowed to touch his own property; and then he suffered himself to be led through the various rooms, one and all replete with the most refined luxuries of life. "Now, you do think it is nice, my dear Elbraham?" said her ladyship. "Nice? It's clipping! Might have had a little more voluptuousness; but Litton says no, so I don't complain. I say: Clotilde--you know, eh?" "Yes, dear Elbraham. What of her?" "She ought to be satisfied, eh?" "She is charmed; she really loves the place. Come, I'll tell you a secret. The darling--ah, but you'll betray me?" "No--honour bright!" cried Elbraham, laying his hand upon the side of his waistcoat. "Well, I'll tell you, then; but, mind, it is sacred." "Of course--of course." "The darling begged me to bring her up to see the delicious nest being prepared for her; but it was to be a stolen visit, for she said she could never look you in the face again if she thought you knew." "Dear girl!" ejaculated Elbraham. "Yes, she is so sweet and unworldly and innocent! Do you know, my dear Elbraham," said Lady Littletown, "a man like you, for whom so many mothers were bidding--" "Ah, yes, I used to get a few invitations," said Elbraham complacently. "I used to hear how terribly you flirted at Lady Millet's with those two daughters," said Lady Littletown playfully. "By George! no. However, the old woman was always asking me to her at-homes and dinners, and to that wedding; but I never went." "I knew it," said Lady Littletown to herself. "How mad she must be! Ah me!" she continued mournfully, "there are times when I feel as if I have done wrong in furthering this match." "The deuce you do! Why?" ejaculated Elbraham. "Because my sweet Clotilde is so unused to the ways of the world, and it is such a terrible stride from her present home to the head of such an establishment as this." "Oh, that be hanged!" cried Elbraham. "'Tis a change, of course--a precious great change from those skimpily-furnished apartments at Hampton Court." "But show is not everything, my dear Elbraham," said Lady Littletown, laying a finger impressively upon the financier's arm. "No, it is not; but people like it. I'll be bound to say Clotilde likes this place." "She was in raptures--she could hardly contain her delight. Her sweet innocent ways of showing her pleasure made my heart bound. Ah, Elbraham, you have won a prize!" "So has she," he said gruffly. "I don't know but what she has got the best of the bargain." "Oh, you conceited man! how dare you say so? But it is only your quaintness." "I say, though," cried Elbraham, "she did like the place?" "I cannot tell you how much she was delighted." "Did she say anything about me?"