“Now, that is very artful of you, marchioness. The truth is that you are going away just because I have come.” “You are perfectly right, Mr. Hammond,” remarked Victoria. Her mother wrenched her lips into the similitude of a smile. “I see what it is,” she said, with immense slyness. “You two have an understanding, and you want to get rid of me. Very well, I sha’n’t interfere with your little plans. I always know when I am in the way. Good-bye. Good-bye.” The devoted parent nodded and smiled herself out of the gallery, consumed with a frantic inward longing to take her stubborn child by the shoulders and shake her into a more becoming frame of mind. It was fortunate that she could not hear that child’s first remark after she had gone. “My poor mother amuses me very much. She thinks she is such a deep schemer, and she is so transparent all the time.” “You mustn’t ask me to take sides with an undutiful daughter,” responded Hammond. “May I sit down? I am lucky in finding you here.” “There isn’t much luck about it,” said Victoria, bluntly, as she made way for him to sit beside her. “My mother knew you were coming, and ordered me to remain here to meet you.” “The marchioness is very considerate,” replied Hammond, fairly taken aback by this extraordinary confidence. “Yes, but I find it a little embarrassing sometimes,” Victoria remarked. “She is so very barefaced, you know. She positively throws me at eligible men. I hope you don’t mind having me thrown at you?” “On the contrary, I find it rather agreeable than otherwise. You don’t hurt at all.” “I am so glad. Tell me when you are tired, and I will make her leave off and throw me at some one else.” “Isn’t there another alternative?” Hammond saw a faint color come into Victoria’s cheeks as he spoke, and went on quietly. “Do you know, I wanted to see you, to consult you about a letter that I received this morning.” He put his hand into his breast pocket and drew out a blue envelope of the inconvenient oblong shape still in use by so-called business men. Victoria continued to recline in the same lazy attitude on the divan, but she watched him keenly out of the corner of her eyes. “How interesting!” she murmured, as he drew out a closely written sheet and unfolded it. “I hope it is an anonymous letter taking away my character.” “No; curiously enough, it is from one who has a very high opinion of you.” Victoria became more languid still. “I am dying to hear it.” “You shall.” He began to read aloud: “‘BOOT AND SHOE EMPORIUM, “HIGH STREET, TOOTING.’” “I know who it is from!” Victoria exclaimed, eagerly. “That delightful alderman!” “Don’t interrupt, please. ‘_My dear Mr. Hammond--_’” “How sweetly friendly!” “Hush! ‘_It is with considerable reluctance that I have consented, at the request of many of your leading supporters in the Division, to address you on a subject of great delicacy and importance--_’” “Mysterious creature!” “‘_I refer to the question of your marriage--_’”