But at this moment of my triumph, even as he turned to depart, something small and white fluttered down from the branches above, and the next moment Selwyn had stooped and picked up a lace handkerchief. Then, while he stared at it and I at him, there came a ripple of laughter and Lisbeth peered down at us through the leaves. "My handkerchief-thank you," she said, as Selwyn stood somewhat taken aback by her sudden appearance. "The trees hereabouts certainly bear very remarkable, not to say delightful fruit," he said. "And as you will remember, I was always particularly fond of apple trees," I interpolated. "Mr. Selwyn," smiled Lisbeth, "let me introduce you to Mr. Brent." "Sir," said I, "I am delighted to make your acquaintance; have heard Her Grace of Chelsea speak of you--her friends are mine, I trust?" Mr. Selwyn's bow was rather more than distant. "I have already had the pleasure of meeting this--this very original gentleman before, and under rather peculiar circumstances, Miss Elizabeth," he said, and forthwith plunged into an account of the whole affair of the "ambushes," while Lisbeth, perched upon her lofty throne, surveyed us with an ever-growing astonishment. "Whatever does it all mean?" she inquired as Mr. Selwyn made an end. "You must know, then," I explained, leaning upon my quarter-staff, "the Imp took it into his head to become Robin Hood; I was Little-John, and Mr. Selwyn here was so very obliging as to enact the role of Sheriff of Nottingham--" "I beg your pardon," exclaimed Mr. Selwyn indignantly, turning upon me with a fiery eye. "Every one recollects the immortal exploits of Robin and his 'merrie men,'" I continued, "and you will, of course, remember that they had a habit of capturing the sheriff and tying him up to trees and things. Naturally the Imp did not proceed to that extreme. He contented himself with merely capturing the Sheriff's hat--I think that you will agree that those 'ambushes' worked like a charm, Mr. Selwyn?" "Miss Elizabeth," he said, disdaining any reply, "I am aware of the af--affection you lavish upon your nephew; I hope that you will take measures to restrain him from such pranks--such very disgraceful pranks--in the future. I myself should suggest a change of companionship [here he glanced at me] as the most salutary method. Good-afternoon, Miss Elizabeth." So saying, Mr. Selwyn raised his hat, bowed stiffly to me, and turning upon an indignant heel, strode haughtily away. "Well!" exclaimed Lisbeth, with a look of very real concern. "Very well, indeed!" I nodded; "we are alone at last." "Oh, Dick! but to have offended him like this!" "A highly estimable young gentleman," I said, "though deplorably lacking in that saving sense of humour which--" "Aunt Agatha seems to think a great deal of him." "So I understand," I nodded. "Only this morning I received a letter from her, in which, among other things, she pointed out what a very excellent match he would be."