“Ah! I felt sure we should be interrupted,” said Victoria. “I believe my mother has me shadowed. Don’t go, Gerald,” she added, loudly enough for her parent to hear as she bore down upon the pair, the faithful Despencer following in the wake. The marchioness came to a full stop at the opening, with a dramatic start. “Victoria! I thought I had forbidden you to behave like this!” Her daughter gave an amused smile. “My dear mother, I thought we agreed only the other day that I was of age.” The marchioness turned on her nephew as a less dangerous adversary. “As for you, Gerald, I am surprised at you. You ought to know better than to come and sit here with your cousin.” Victoria gallantly came to his rescue. “If you and Mr. Despencer want to sit here, we will go away,” she offered, sweetly. The marchioness recoiled, and gazed at her like King Lear listening to Goneril’s complaints about his knights. “When you are married I shall wash my hands of you, and if your unfortunate husband likes to let you carry on an open flirtation with your cousin, he may,” she said, viciously. “But while you are on my hands I am determined to put a stop to these clandestine doings. You hear me, Gerald?” Gerald felt that he must stand by his cousin. “Yes, aunt,” he said, with unlooked-for courage; “but I don’t see how our flirtation can be open and yet clandestine at the same time. It must be one or the other, you know.” As the action was becoming general, the marchioness with a look brought up her light cavalry in the person of Despencer. “I don’t know that,” he interposed. “There is no better concealment sometimes than a parade of openness.” “Really, mamma, this won’t do!” Victoria protested. “I have schooled myself to bear Mr. Despencer’s compliments, but I really don’t think I can stand him as a moralist. I must draw the line somewhere.” The marchioness threw her broad shield over her luckless ally. “Mr. Despencer was not speaking to you, and I will not allow you to talk like that when he is only acting in your true interests.” “Well, then, I wish he wouldn’t,” was the rebellious answer. “One’s true interests are always so singularly unpleasant. How should you like it if Gerald or somebody were to begin acting in your true interests?” The marchioness looked alarmed. “There, that will do,” she said, hurriedly. “Understand me, Gerald, I particularly wish to speak to Victoria for a minute by herself. You won’t refuse a mother’s request?” “Not when she is a woman,” returned the reckless youth. And he strolled off. The marchioness watched him safely through the door of the gallery, and then seated herself by her daughter’s side. “Thank Heaven, we have got rid of him in time!” “Why, is anything particular going to happen?” Victoria inquired, carelessly. The marchioness glowed with triumph. “Mr. Hammond is coming here to propose to you!” “Is that all?” said Victoria.