“I think we have complied with your theory,” said she, pointing to the book before her. “If our ladies are chosen for their real qualities, the men have been accepted with a most generous forbearance.” “One more, then, will not damage the mixture.” “Of course, Captain Martin, it is quite sufficient that he is a friend of yours--that you wish it--” “But it is no such thing, Miss Henderson,” broke in Lady Dorothea. “We have already given deep umbrage in many quarters--very high quarters, too--by refusals; and a single mistake would be fatal to us.” “But why need this be a mistake?” cried Captain Martin, peevishly. “The man is an acquaintance of mine,--a friend, if you like to call him so.” “And who is he?” asked my Lady, with all the solemnity of a judge. “A person I met at the Cape. We travelled home together--saw a great deal of each other--in fact--I know him as intimately as I do--any officer in my regiment,” said the Captain, blundering and faltering at every second word. “Oh! then he is one of your own corps?” said her Ladyship. “I never said so,” broke he in. “If he had been, I don't fancy I should need to employ much solicitation in his behalf; the--they are not usually treated in that fashion!” “I trust we should know how to recognize their merits,” said Kate, with a look which sorely puzzled him whether it meant conciliation or raillery. “And his name?” asked my Lady. “His name ought to be decisive, without anything more!” “He's quite a stranger here, knows nobody, so that you incur no risk as to any impertinent inquiries, and when he leaves this, to-morrow or next day, you 'll never see him again.” This the Captain said with all the confusion of an inexpert man in a weak cause. “Shall I address his card, or will you take it yourself, Captain Martin?” said Kate, in a low voice. “Write Merl,--Mr. Herman Merl,” said he, dropping his own voice to the same tone. “Merl!” exclaimed Lady Dorothea, whose quick hearing detected the words. “Why, where on earth could you have made acquaintance with a man called Merl?” “I have told you already where and how we met; and if it be any satisfaction to you to know that I am under considerable obligations--heavy obligations--to this same gentleman, perhaps it might incline you to show him some mark of attention.” “You could have him to dinner at your Club,--you might even bring him here, when we're alone, Harry; but really, to receive him at one of our Evenings! You know how curious people are, what questions they will ask:--'Who is that queer-looking man?'--I 'm certain he is so.--'Is he English?'--'Who does he belong to?'--'Does he know any one?'” “Let them ask me, then,” said Martin, “and I may, perhaps, be able to satisfy them.” At the same moment he took up from the table the card which Kate had just written, giving her a look of grateful recognition as he did so. “You 've done this at your own peril, Miss Henderson,” said Lady Dorothea, half upbraidingly.