"Well, let us settle it one way or another," Lillie said. "Here is my proposal----" "I have an alternative proposal," he said desperately. "I cannot listen to any other. Will you, or will you not, become Honorary Trier of the Old Maids' Club?" "I'll try," he said at last. "Yes or no?" "Shall you be present at the trials?" "Certainly, but I shall cultivate myopia." "It's a short-sighted policy, Miss Dulcimer. Still, sustained by your presence, I feel I could flirt with the most beautiful and charming girl in the world. I could do it, even unsustained by the presence of the other girl." "Oh, no! You must not flirt with me. I am the only Old Maid with whom flirtation is absolutely taboo." "Then I consent," said Silverdale with apparent irrelevance. And seating himself on the piano stool, after carefully removing an epigram from the top of the instrument, he picked out "The Last Rose of Summer" with a facile forefinger. "Don't!" said Lillie. "Stick to your lute." Thus admonished, the nobleman took down Lillie's banjo, which was hanging on the wall, and struck a few passionate chords. "Do you know," he said, "I always look on the banjo as the American among musical instruments. It is the guitar with a twang. Wasn't it invented in the States? Anyhow it is the most appropriate instrument to which to sing you my Fin de Siècle Love Song." "For Heaven's sake, don't use that poor overworked phrase!" "Why not? It has only a few years to live. List to my sonnet." So saying, he strummed the strings and sang in an aristocratic baritone: AD CHLOEN.--A VALEDICTORY. O Chloe, you are very, very dear, And far above your rivals in the town, Who all in vain essay to beat you down, Embittered by your haughtiness austere. Too high you are for lowly me, I fear. You would not stoop to pick up e'en a crown, Nor cede the slightest lowering of a gown, Though in men's eyes far fairer to appear. With this my message, kindly current go, At half-penny per word--it should be less-- To Chloe, telegraphical address (Thus written to economize two _d_) Of Messrs. Robinson, De Vere & Co., Costumers, 90, Ludgate Hill, E. C. Lillie laughed. "My actress's name is something like Chloe. It is Clorinda--Clorinda Bell. She tells me she is very celebrated." "Oh, yes, I've heard of her," he said. "There is a sneer in your tones. Have you heard anything to her disadvantage?" "Only that she is virtuous and in Society." "The very woman for an Old Maid! She is beautiful, too." "Is she? I thought she was one of those actresses who reserve their beauty for the stage." "Oh, no. She always wears it. Here is her photograph. Isn't that a lovely face?" "It is a lovely photograph. Does she hope to achieve recognition by it, I wonder?" "Sceptic!" "I doubt all charms but yours." "Well, you shall see her."