I had composed a little song, you must know, that I believed highly applicable to her at the moment, although when I had written it she was no more in my mind than Adam or Eve, or both! I sang it, looking into her face the while, as she stood by the instrument; and these were the words. I gave them expression enough, you may be sure. "My lady's eyes are soft and blue, deep-changing as the iris hue; _But, eyes deceive Hearts `worn on sleeve,' And make us oft their power rue_! "Her little mouth--a `sunny south'--wafts perfumed kisses to the wind; _But, winds blow cold, And kiss of old, A trait'rous symbol was, I find_! "For pearly teeth and rosebud lips, whose honied wealth the zephyr sips, _But bait the lair Where fickle fair, Like Scylla, wreck men's stately ships_-- "And witching eyes and plaintive sighs, and looks of love and tender words-- Love's tricking arts - _Are poison'd darts, More awesome far than pendant swords_!" "Thank you," said Mrs Clyde; "it is very pretty. Your own, I suppose?" "Yes," I said. I did not feel disposed to be more communicative. "What do you call it?" asked Min, carelessly. "`Per Contra,'" I answered. "Don't you think it a suitable title?" "Yes, _I understand_" she said. "Thank you, _Mr Lorton_!" She spoke, with marked emphasis. A little time afterwards, when I was sitting moodily in a corner, with a book before me which I was supposed to be looking at, but whose bare title escapes my recollection, Min came to my side; and, she began overhauling some volumes of music that were piled up in a heap on the floor. "Mr Lorton," she said, hesitatingly. That "Mr Lorton" set my teeth on edge. I made no reply. "Frank!" "Yes," I said, testily. I felt very angry with her for her attentions to Horner and Mawley, and, as I thought, neglect of me; so, I wished to let her know it. "Frank," she repeated, "didn't you mean that song at me?" "Yes, I did," I replied, very grumpily. "Foolish fellow!" she said; "what a very bad opinion you must have of me, although I did not know my eyes were blue before! You said the other night they were grey," and she smiled bewitchingly. But, I wouldn't be coaxed into good humour. "Ce m'est egal," I answered coldly, "whatever they are." "You are very cross!" she said pettishly; "I will go and talk to Mr Mawley, until you get into a better mood, sir, and are more amiable." "I'm sure," said I, loftily, "that I would not be the means of depriving you of his valuable and entertaining society." Min laughed provokingly. "At all events," she said, "he is not cross with me about nothing; and _some_ people might learn better manners from him, Mr Lorton!" "Pray do not let me detain you from such a charming companion, Miss Clyde," I said, with distant politeness.