“May I present my friend to you?--he would take it as such a favor,” asked Tony, timidly. “I think not,” said she, with an air of indolence. “Do let me; he saw your picture--that picture of you and Bella at the Exhibition--and he is wild to see yourself. Don't refuse me, Alice.” “If you think this a favor, I wonder you have courage to ask it. Come, you need not look cross, Master Tony, particularly as all the fault is on your own side. Come over to Tilney the day after to-morrow with your friend.” “But I don't know Mrs. Maxwell.” “That does not signify in the least; do what I bid you. I am as much mistress there as she is while I stay. Come early. I shall be quite alone, for Mark goes to-morrow to town, and Bella will scarcely be well enough to see you.” “And you'll not let me introduce him now?” “No; I shall look more like my picture in a house dress; and perhaps--though I 'll not promise--be in a better temper too. Good-bye.” “Won't you shake hands with me, Alice?” “No; it's too cold to take my hand out of my muff. Remember, now, Saturday morning, without fail.” “Alice!” said he, with a look at once devoted and reproachful. “Tony!” said she, imitating his tone of voice to perfection, “there's your friend getting impatient. Good-bye.” As the spanking team whirled past, Skeffy had but a second or two to catch a glance at the veiled and muffled figure that reclined so voluptuously in the corner of the carriage; but he was ready to declare that she had the most beautiful eyes in the world, and “knew what to do with them besides.” “You 're in love with her, Tony,” cried he, fixing a steadfast stare on the pale and agitated features at his side. “I see it, old fellow! I know every shade and tint of that blessed thing they miscall the tender passion. Make me no confessions; I don't want them. Your heart is at her feet, and she treats it like a football.” Tony's cheeks grew purple. “There's no shame in that, my boy. Women do that with better men than either of us; ay, and will continue to do it centuries after you and I shall be canonized as saints. It's that same contempt of us that makes them worth the winning; but, I say, why is the fellow drawing up here?--Is he going to bait his beast?” “No,” muttered Tony, with a certain confusion; “but we must get down and walk here. Our road lies by that path yonder: there 's no carriage-way up to our 'chateau;'” and he gave a peculiar accent to the last word. “All right,” said Skeffy, gayly. “I 'm good for ten miles of a walk.” “I 'll not test your powers so far; less than a quarter of an hour will bring us home. Take down the luggage, and I 'll send up for it,” said he to the driver. “What honest poor devils you must be down here!” said Skeffy, as he saw the carman deposit the trunks on the road and drive off. “I 'd not like to try this experiment in Charing Cross.” “You see there is some good in poverty, after all,” said Tony, laughing.