A loud knock at the door now put the matter almost beyond a doubt, and, in another minute, in walked the redoubtable Earl of Fife, in a curious black and tan broad striped satin waistcoat, which was ornamented with a large gold chain. His watch was very gay, as were his numerous seals, at least twenty in number. "Surely," thought I, as I threw a hasty glance at Miss Eliza Higgins's long, narrow, ill-shaped forehead, brilliant with agitation and pearl-powder, "surely the man must be purblind or it may be his eyes were filled with dust on Sunday, when we met him in the park." However, to my astonishment, his lordship was all rapture, and did nothing but ogle my fair _dame de compagnie_, as though she had been really fair. As to Miss Eliza Higgins, it had been previously settled and agreed on between us that modesty was to be the order of the day. "I am not so vain as to fancy myself altogether handsomer than you are, madame," said the humble Miss Eliza to me, "and yet it is clear that the Earl of Fife prefers me; I therefore conceive that I may have appeared to him more timid and modest; therefore it will be better to keep up that character: do not you agree with me, ma'am?" "Certainly," said I. Miss Eliza Higgins kept up the farce to excess; scarcely venturing to raise her eyes from the ground, or utter a single syllable, beyond--"yes," or "no, my lord,"--and, that in a low whisper. She did indeed once venture to speak pathetically about her grandmamma and her dear grandpapa. Lord Fife declared to me she was an amiable creature, and he presumed to place a ring of some value on her finger, on which occasion Miss Eliza Higgins appeared to be growing rather nervous. He did not take his leave until he had obtained her permission to write to her. "Miss Eliza Higgins," said I, as soon as we were left alone again, which was not till after midnight, "my good Miss Eliza Higgins, this atmosphere, as you expected, has proved favourable to your wishes. It has done more than your six seasons at Bath. It has, in short, brought a noble earl to your feet. _Je vous en fait mes compliments_. We will now if you please say adieu. Make any use you please of your conquest, and accept my thanks for having been so truly ridiculous." Miss Eliza bridled, muttered something about our sex's envy, and declared that she had proposed leaving me herself. "Agreed then," said I, extending my hand to shake hands. "I promise never to say anything but good of you to Lord Fife; at least not till he is quite tired of you." Miss Eliza Higgins appeared satisfied and wished me a good night. "You will forward any letters that may arrive from the Earl of Fife?" said she, returning. "Certainly," "Why then, I propose going to my grandmamma's to-morrow." "_De tout mon coeur_," I replied, and we parted. CHAPTER XVI