The earl disserppeard into the madding crowd and presently came back with a middle aged gentleman. This is Lord Hyssops he said my friend Miss Monticue he added genially. Ethel turned a dull yellaw. Lord Hyssops she said in a faint voice why it is Mr Salteena I know him well. [Pg 83] Hush cried the Earl it is a title bestowd recently by my friend the Prince of Wales. Yes indeed murmered Mr Salteena deeply flabbergasted by the ready wit of the earl. Oh indeed said Ethel in a peevish tone well how do you come to be here. I am stopping with his Lordship said Mr Salteena and have a set of compartments in the basement so there. I dont care said huffy Ethel I am in handsome rooms at the Gaierty. Nothing could be nicer I am sure struck in the earl what do you say Hyssops eh. Doubtless it is charming said Mr Salteena who was wanting peace tell me Ethel how did you leave Bernard. I have not left him said Ethel in an annoying voice I am stopping with him at the gaierty and we have been to lots of theaters and dances. Well I am glad you are enjoying yourself said Mr Salteena kindly you had been looking pale of late. [Pg 84] No wonder in your stuffy domain cried Ethel well have you got any more friends she added turning to the earl. Well I will see said the obliging earl and he once more disapeared. I dont know why you should turn against me Ethel said Mr Salteena in a low tone. Ethel patted her hair and looked very sneery. Well I call it very mystearious you going off and getting a title said Ethel and I think our friendship had better stop as no doubt you will soon be marrying a duchess or something. Not at all said Mr Salteena you must know Ethel he said blushing a deep red I always wished to marry you some fine day. This is news to me cried Ethel still peevish. But not to me murmered Mr Salteena and his voice trembled in his chest. I may add that I have always loved you and now I seem to do so madly he added passionately. [Pg 85] But I dont love you responded Ethel. But if you married me you might get to said Mr Salteena. I think not replied Ethel and all the same it is very kind of you to ask me and she smiled more nicely at him. This is agony cried Mr Salteena clutching hold of a table my life will be sour grapes and ashes without you. Be a man said Ethel in a gentle whisper and I shall always think of you in a warm manner. Well half a loaf is better than no bread responded Mr Salteena in a gloomy voice and just then the earl reappeard with a very brisk lady in a tight silk dress whose name was called Lady Gay Finchling and her husband was a General but had been dead a few years. So this is Miss Monticue she began in a rarther high voice. Oh yes said Ethel and Mr Salteena wiped the foaming dew from his forehead. Little did Lady [Pg 86] Gay Finchling guess she had just disturbed a proposal of marrage.