"I don't exactly fallow your reference to my class as distinct from your own. I suppose we mix amongst pretty much the same people, though as individuals we have not met before. But," added Barbara, with a smile, "now that that great occurrence has taken place, I don't think we need enter into lengthy disquisitions as to the charms and duties of maternity; indeed, we will not, for I shall ask you to observe the only conditions which I require from my friends." "And they are--?" asked Churchill. "_Qu'on exécute mes orders_, as Louis Napoleon said when asked what should be done on the Second of December. So long as my commands are obeyed, I am amiability itself." "And suppose they were disobeyed?" asked Churchill again. "Then--but I won't tell you what would happen! I don't think you'll ever have the chance of knowing; do you think you shall? Not that I like amiable people generally--do you? Your blue-eyed girls, with colourless hair like blotting-paper, and--but I forgot I was talking to an author. I suppose you're making fun of all I say?" "On the contrary," said Churchill, struggling to keep his gravity, and producing a small memorandum-book, "I purpose making a note of that description for use on a future occasion. There is a spiteful simplicity in that phrase about 'blotting-paper hair' which is really worth embalming in a leader." "Now I know you're laughing, and I hate to be laughed at--" "By no means; I subscribe the roll. I am now one of the _âmes damnées_, sworn to obey the spell of the sorceress; and the spell is--?" "Nothing. Never mind. You will know easily enough when it is once uttered. Now they're coming back to us, and I've lost my glove. Have you seen it? How very absurd!" As she spoke, they came up with Lyster and Miss Townshend, who were waiting for them at a gate leading into the Grange lands. "How slowly you walk, Miss Lexden!" said Lyster; "Miss Townshend thought you never would come up with us." Miss Townshend, with much curl-tossing and laughter, declared she had never said any thing of the kind. "Quite otherwise," replied Barbara; "from the earnest manner in which you were carrying on the conversation, there could be no doubt that it was you who were going ahead." "I?--I give you my word I was merely talking of scenery, and telling Miss Townshend how much I should like to show her Rome." "And promising, when there, to enter into the spirit of the proverb, and do as the Romans--eh, Captain Lyster?" "Oh, ah,--yes! I see what you mean. That's not so bad, eh, Mr. Churchill? You might use that in some of your thingummies, eh? Though I don't know that there's much difference between Rome and any other place, after all. It's rather like London, I think." "Is it?" said Churchill. "I confess my short sojourn there gave me a very different idea."