Of a Meeting near Fulham
a claimant for the honour,” with which I flings my glove to the floor.
Her ladyship burst out laughing very sourly, and turning to Old Rowley—
“Is this true?” she asked.
Now I had thought to see him wince at my impudent suggestion, but, Lord, nothing of the kind.
“Why,” he says, with a pretty smile, “’tis set somewhat coarsely, but—” and then, after a show of confusion—“Captain Ryder, you will perceive, would leave you every liberty of selection.”
“I should be accustomed,” says she scornfully, “to be subjected to your vagaries;” and stopped abruptly, seeming to reflect.
Presently she looked up at me with a different face.
“Captain Ryder,” she says with a smile, “you will doubtless pardon my seeming rudeness, but this news has fallen of the suddenest. I make no doubt but we shall be better acquainted presently.”
“Indeed,” I replied grandly. “Better ac-
257
