“Only about five minutes.” She glanced interrogatively at the girl, who turned towards the mantelpiece, and said, “Fifteen, by the clock.” “Well, it seemed like five,” he said; “my new cousin had so many curious things to tell me. Now I must be off and dress”; and he departed, leaving Joseline and her stepmother _tête-à-tête_. “But, dearest child, I was given to understand that you were painfully _shy_,” she was beginning, when, to the girl’s immense relief, the door opened again, and several of the guests came into the room, followed by her father. “And how has my little girl been getting on?” he asked, as he joined her. “Oh, very well so far, and I’ve just made acquaintance with Dudley Deverell.” “And what do you think of him?” “I cannot answer that just yet; but I can tell you what he thinks--of me.” “Really!” “That I am a new sort of foreign curiosity. I may be gold, or I may be _brass_! I’m sure he suspects there’s a bit of brass about me!” CHAPTER XXV Tito’s sketch of Dudley Deverell was not altogether a caricature; he was good-looking, selfish, and popular. Social success and an atmosphere of flattery, stimulated his weaknesses, and encouraged him to display the least attractive side of his nature--a cynical air, an amazing indolence, and a cool indifference to the opinions of other people. Life had been made pleasant for him, and he valued it accordingly. As a guest and attraction he was faithless, and had thrown more than one important hostess into a tempest of indignation, by sending at the eleventh hour a lying wire. He travelled, he shot and fished when his health permitted, and was just as bored as other young men, with no occupation, and great prospects. Some day he was bound to marry, and possibly Tito would do as well as any one! She knew the place, and it would please her people. Tito was good company, and a ripping dancer, but inclined to be rowdy, and confoundedly plain. If he could not remedy one defect--he would the other. And now there was another girl in the family--he had bestirred himself so far as to journey to Ashstead, to see what she was like? It was an amazing tale. An introduction to this peasant would afford him a novel sensation. New sensations were rare and precious, and he had run down just for one night, in order to interview the stranger; and behold! she was no stranger, but the pretty, cheeky girl who had chaffed him by the roadside in Ireland. The new cousin was uncommon; she was amazing; her manners and accent were abominable. However, she had lovely eyes and a saucy tongue, and he foresaw a considerable amount of entertainment. These were some of Captain Deverell’s reflections as he gazed into his own face and executed a most finished white tie (he had been an Eton boy). Lady Mulgrave, too, had certain thoughts respecting Joseline. She had never seen Dudley so animated and interested, as on this occasion in the drawing-room.