'You make little mistakes of a century or two,' Laura Wing remarked, laughing. She felt now as if she had known Mr. Wendover a long time. 'Oh, he was very clever,' said Lady Davenant. 'Very magnetic, I suppose,' Mr. Wendover went on. 'What's that? I believe he used to get tipsy.' 'Perhaps you don't use that expression in England?' Laura's companion inquired. 'Oh, I daresay we do, if it's American; we talk American now. You seem very good-natured people, but such a jargon as you _do_ speak!' 'I like _your_ way, Lady Davenant,' said Mr. Wendover, benevolently, smiling. 'You might do worse,' cried the old woman; and then she added: 'Please go out!' They were taking leave of her but she kept Laura's hand and, for the young man, nodded with decision at the open door. 'Now, wouldn't _he_ do?' she asked, after Mr. Wendover had passed into the hall. 'Do for what?' 'For a husband, of course.' 'For a husband--for whom?' 'Why--for me,' said Lady Davenant. 'I don't know--I think he might tire you.' 'Oh--if he's tiresome!' the old lady continued, smiling at the girl. 'I think he is very good,' said Laura. 'Well then, he'll do.' 'Ah, perhaps _you_ won't!' Laura exclaimed, smiling back at her and turning away. VIII She was of a serious turn by nature and unlike many serious people she made no particular study of the art of being gay. Had her circumstances been different she might have done so, but she lived in a merry house (heaven save the mark! as she used to say) and therefore was not driven to amuse herself for conscience sake. The diversions she sought were of a serious cast and she liked those best which showed most the note of difference from Selina's interests and Lionel's. She felt that she was most divergent when she attempted to cultivate her mind, and it was a branch of such cultivation to visit the curiosities, the antiquities, the monuments of London. She was fond of the Abbey and the British Museum--she had extended her researches as far as the Tower. She read the works of Mr. John Timbs and made notes of the old corners of history that had not yet been abolished--the houses in which great men had lived and died. She planned a general tour of inspection of the ancient churches of the City and a pilgrimage to the queer places commemorated by Dickens. It must be added that though her intentions were great her adventures had as yet been small. She had wanted for opportunity and independence; people had other things to do than to go with her, so that it was not till she had been some time in the country and till a good while after she had begun to go out alone that she entered upon the privilege of visiting public institutions by herself. There were some aspects of London that frightened her, but there were certain spots, such as the Poets' Corner in the Abbey or the room of the Elgin marbles, where she liked better to be alone than not to have the right companion. At the time Mr.