“Aha, Leon!” said the woman, with a smile. “You thought you would give me the slip. You didn't know what a watch I was keeping over you.” At this Leon regarded her in gloomy silence, while the expression of deep vexation remained unchanged on his face. The woman who had thus followed him was certainly not one who ought to inspire any thing like vexation. Her face was beautiful in outline and expression. Her eyes were dark and animated, her tone and manner indicated good-breeding and refinement, though these were somewhat more vivacious than is common with English ladies. “I don't see what brought _you_ here,” said Leon at last. “I might say the same of you, _mon cher_,” replied the lady, “but I have a faint idea, and I have no desire to give you too much liberty.” “It's some more of your confounded jealousy,” said Leon, angrily. “My business here is a very delicate one indeed. I may have to do it incognito, and it may ruin all if I have any one here who knows me.” “Incognito?” said the lady. “That will be charming; and if so, who can help you better than I? I can be your mother, or your grandmother, or your business partner, or any thing. You ought to have insisted on my accompanying you.” The light tone of raillery in which this was spoken did not in any way mollify the chagrin of the other, who still looked at her with a frown, and as she ended, growled out, “I don't see how you got on my track, confound it!” “Nothing easier,” said the lady. “You didn't take any pains to hide your tracks.” “But I told you I was going back to Dudleigh.” “I know you did, _mon cher_; but do you think I believed you?” “I don't see how you followed me,” said Leon again. “Well, I don't intend to let you know all my resources,” said the lady, with a smile, “for fear you will baffle me some other time. But now come, don't let yourself get into a passion. Look at me, and see how good-natured and sweet-tempered I am. Your reception of me is really quite heart-rending, and I have a great mind to go back again at once and leave you.” “I wish you would,” said Leon, rudely. “But I won't,” said the lady. “So come, be yourself again, for you can be sweet-tempered if you only try hard, you know.” “Now see here, Lucy,” said Leon, sternly, “you don't know what you're doing. It's all very well to pass it off as a frolic, but it won't do. This business of mine is too serious to admit of trifling. If it were my own affair, I wouldn't care; and even if I didn't want you, I should submit with a good grace. But this is a matter of extreme delicacy, and my father has sent me here because he was unable to come himself. It is a--a law matter. I went to London merely to see the solicitors. I didn't tell a soul about my business, and I thought that no one knew I was coming here except my father and the solicitors.” “Well, but I'm always an exception, you know,” said the lady, pleasantly.