"Probably not," Lefferts agreed, "only," he added, after a second's thought, "I don't see how any one can say that except the young lady herself." "Miss Claudia Revelly," answered Reed, "is one of the most respected and admired young ladies in the State, I may say in the whole South. I have known her and her family since she was a child, and I should have been informed if anything of the kind had taken place." As he said this, the glance that the cook cast at him was indescribable. It was mingled pity and wonder, as much as to say, "What hope is there, after all, for a man who can talk like that?" "Undoubtedly you're right, Mr. Reed," said Lefferts, "and yet I have never heard of a girl's announcing more than one engagement at a time, although it has come within my experience to know--" "But, after all, why not?" said Crane. "Perhaps that will be the coming fashion. We shall in future get letters from our friends, which will begin: 'I want you to know of the three great happinesses that have come into my life. I am engaged to John Jones, Peter Smith and Paul Robinson, and I feel almost sure that one of these three, early next June--'" Seeing that Reed was really growing angry, Lefferts hastened to interrupt his host. "I think you might tell us, Mr. Reed," he said, "what the great beauty of the county looks like?" "I can't think that this is the time or place for retailing the charms of a young lady as if it were a slave market," answered Reed; and it seemed to Crane that the cook, who had come in to change the plates, looked a little bit disappointed. "No, not as if it were a slave market," said Lefferts, "because, of course, it isn't." "I can see no reason, Reed," said Crane, "why you shouldn't give us a hint as to whether Miss Revelly is blond or brunette, tall or short." "Perhaps I see reasons that you do not, sir," answered the wretched real estate man. "Well," said Crane, "I tell you what, Jane-Ellen must have seen her often,--Jane-Ellen," he added, "you've seen Miss Revelly. What does she look like?" Jane-Ellen advanced into the room thoughtfully. "Well, sir," she said, "it isn't for me to criticize my superiors, nor to say a word against a young lady whom Mr. Reed admires so much, but I have my own reasons, sir, for thinking that there was more in those stories of her engagement than perhaps Mr. Reed himself knows. Servants hear a good deal, you know, sir, and they do say that Miss Revelly--" "Claudia!" burst from Reed. "Miss Claudia Revelly, I should say," the cook corrected herself. "Well, sir, as for looks--let me see--she's a tall, commanding looking lady--" "With flashing black eyes?" asked Crane. "And masses of blue-black hair." "A noble brow?" "A mouth too large for perfect beauty." "A queenly bearing?" "An irresistible dignity of manner." "Jane-Ellen," said Crane, "I feel almost as if Miss Claudia Revelly were standing before me."