"Ya-as," drawled Max. "Fancy it was some annoyance she met with from young Vining: not that I wish to say anything--bai Jove, no!" "I'm sure Miss Bedford will be delighted to hear of the kind interest you take in her," said Mrs Brandon. "O, I don't know so much about that!" said Max; "but we were always very good friends." "You puppy!" muttered Mrs Brandon. "Always liked her because of the interest she took in a sister of mine. Down soon, I suppose?" "Who--Miss Bedford?" said Mrs Brandon. "Ya-as," drawled Max; "should like to have a quiet chat with her;" and he directed one of his most taking glances at the lady, who, all smiles and good-humour, had been studying his manners and dress in a way that Max set down for admiration, and presuming thereon, he grew every moment more confidential. "You see, when she was at home, Mrs Brandon, I felt a natural diffidence." "I beg your pardon," said Mrs Brandon. "Natural diffidence--kind of drawing back, you know," explained Max. "Didn't seem the sort of thing, you see, to be too attentive to the governess; but--er--er--must own to a sort of weakness in that direction. Nature, you see--bai Jove!--and that sort of thing, for she is a dooced attractive girl." "Very," said Mrs Brandon; and Max went on, for he was in his blind-rut mood--a rut in which he could run on for hours without ever seeing that he was being laughed at. "Glad you think so--I am, bai Jove! Very kind of you too, to be so cordial and--" "Pray do not imagine--" began Mrs Brandon. "No, no. Don't make any excuses, pray," said Max, interrupting her. "You see, I've been candid, and I've no doubt that you'll give me your permission to call frequently.--But is Miss Bedford coming down?" Mrs Brandon did not reply; but still smiling pleasantly, she rose, rang the bell, and then resumed her seat. "Bai Jove! don't trouble yourself--I can wait," said Max. "Ladies' toilets do take a long while sometimes." Mrs Brandon smiled, and then rose again, as the hard-faced footman opened the door. "Edward," she said in the coolest and most cutting manner, "do you see this gentleman?" "Yes, ma'am, I see him," said the astonished servant. "He has made a mistake in coming here." "Yes, ma'am," said the footman. "Show him to the door; and if ever he has the impertinence to call here again, either to ask for Miss Bedford or me, order him off the premises; and if he does not immediately go, send for the policeman." "Bai Jove!" drawled the astonished Max, "what does this mean?" "You will show him out directly," said Mrs Brandon, who would not turn her face in his direction, but continued to address the man; "and give him fully to understand what will be his fate if he should have the insolence to call any more." "Yes, ma'am," said Edward, trying to keep back a grin. "Bai Jove, she's mad!" ejaculated Max. "Now then, sir; this way, please," said the hard-faced footman, whose countenance, if stony before, was now adamantine.