"Yes, poor dear! But Frith is strong and healthy, while darling Jim--oh, I can't bear to talk about it." This was perfectly true. To invent sentimental domestic histories and bewail a husband she detested was difficult, even to a woman of Leah's imagination and tact. But Hengist thought it was very good of her to talk so generously, and paid her serious compliments till she began to think that some unpardonable sin had thrown her into the society of this prosing creature. It was like reading the dictionary, or drinking Homburg waters, or paying bills. The sight of a friend made her gasp with relief, after the manner of a pearl-diver rising to take the air. "Here's Lady Richardson and Sir Billy," she said with a frown, for her companion's benefit. "So horrid, to interrupt our nice conversation!" "We can pass them," replied Hengist, decidedly pleased. "Oh, I don't think so," was Leah's quick reply. "It would look rude; and then, Fanny Richardson never passes any one who will listen to her prattle of chiffons. Besides, Billy is a nice boy--quite a little man. Don't you think so?" "Too much a man for his years," said her companion, austerely. "I do not like Chesterfields in their teens. The lad's manners are too good--much too good." "Can any child be much too good?" "In the wrong way of over-artificiality, yes. Sir William----" "He likes to be called Sir Billy!" "So flippant. His mother should insist----" "She! She never insists on anything, except having the newest dye and the best-cut frock, and a few dozen male ears to pour her babble into. Billy can do no wrong in her eyes, nor in mine. He is such an admirer of women." "And at the age of thirteen," groaned Hengist. "Come now, even you must have made love to some pretty pastry-cook's daughter when you were at Eton. There must be some of the old Adam in you, Lord Hengist." "I was never an entirely modern child," replied the serious man, evasively, and with a sad eye on the trim figure of the rapidly approaching Billy. "To think that he should take dinner pills, and know the difference between sweet and dry champagne! What will the next generation be?" "Boys and girls," said Leah, flippantly. "Good day, Fanny."