"Whenever," murmured her companion--"whenever you sweet-tempered people take the bit between your teeth, I have noticed that it is absolutely hopeless to attempt to turn you. Well. Kitty, since you are determined to set a torch to the gunpowder, I hope we shan't all go up with the explosion. My father is good for a magnificent fizz. I hear him now in the passage." Another moment saw him in the room, and with him came Mrs Lascelles, a large, kindly-faced woman, in whose brown eyes gleamed the same clear brightness which met you in her daughter's. The old colonel was as stormily benevolent as usual. "So you gave me the slip after all, eh, Miss Bell? I've just been telling your godmother that she hasn't brought you up well; little Kitty here would never dare to be so undutiful. Eh? I met your precious rascal of an Italian close by here; can't think how you admit such a fellow within the gates. I stopped him, but he was as sulky as a bear. I have it, though, I have it!" he cried, slapping his thigh; "to be sure! That's the man the painter-fellow last night was like. What was he called?--Egerton--Elliott--friend of Marchmont's, you know, Bell. 'Pon my word, the most extraordinary likeness, eh, Bell, eh?" "There was a likeness, certainly," said his daughter calmly. "A likeness! This man is his double. It's been annoying me all the night. I never will be beaten by a likeness." "But I hope the model is not such a disreputable being as you describe," said Mrs Lascelles, a shade of anxiety in her voice. "If he is, it cannot be very pleasant for you, Kitty." "He behaved well enough," said the girl, in a low voice. "And he is not coming again; he has not the time to spare," Bell said cheerfully. "Kitty has been very successful with him, and ought to be exceedingly obliged. Look, Mrs Lascelles!" "Obliged!" grumbled her father. "The fellow gets paid, eh? Well, upon my word, that's not at all bad, Kitty. I tell you what I'll give you your first order, and I'll sit for you myself. Then you needn't have those fellows sneaking about the place. They'll be bringing dynamite one of these days. If I were Lascelles I wouldn't stand it--I wouldn't stand it." "Father," said Bell promptly, "I'm ashamed of you! You're only saying this to tease Kitty, and she's just as white as a ghost already. Come home with me at once; and, Kitty, don't you think about anything that he has said." Then she flung herself upon her friend, and kissed her with the warmth which marks a certain phase in young ladies' friendships. When they were gone, Mrs Lascelles went to the window, where her daughter was standing. "There's something the matter, Kitty," she said, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Yes, mother, there is," returned the girl gravely. Neither of them spoke for a little while, for Mrs Lascelles never extracted confidences. Kitty sighed. "To tell you the truth," she said, "I can't be sure whether I had better say it out or not."