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logical faculty. It revolted against the suggested congruity of
Carlotta and the Little Sisters of St. Bridget.
What can she be like? asked the old man, wonderingly.
Would it pain you to see her? I asked.
Yes, he said, in a low voice. It would. But perhaps it would
bring me nearer to my unhappy boy. He seems so far away.
I rang the bell and summoned Carlotta.
Perhaps you had better not say who you are, I suggested.
When Carlotta entered, he rose and looked at heroh, so
wistfully.
This, Carlotta, said I, is a friend of mine, who would like to
make your acquaintance.
She advanced shyly and held out a timid hand. Obviously she was
on her best behaviour. I thanked heaven she had tried her
unsuccessful experiment of powder and paint on my vile body and
not on that of a stranger.
Do youdo you like England? asked the old man.
Oh, veryvery much. Every one is so kind to me. It is a nice
place.
It is the best place in the world to be young in, said he.
Is it? said Carlotta, with the simplicity of a baby.
The very best.
But is it not good to be old in?
No country is good for that.
The old man sighed and took his leave. I accompanied him to the
front door.
I don't know what to say, Sir Marcus. She moves me strangely.
I never expected such sweet innocence. For my boy's sake, I
would take her inbut his mother knows nothing about itsave
that the boy is dead. It would kill her.
The tears rolled down the old man's cheeks. I grasped him by the
hand.
She shall come to no manner of harm beneath my roof, said I.
Carlotta was waiting for me in the drawingroom. She looked at
me in a perplexed, pitiful way.
Seer Marcous?
Yes?
Am I to marry him?
Marry whom?
That old gentleman. I must, if you tell me. But I do not want
to marry him.
It took me a minute or two to arrive at her oriental point of
view. No woman could be shown off to a man except in the light
of a possible bride. I think it sometimes good to administer a
shock to Carlotta, by way of treatment.
Do you know who that old gentleman was? said I.
No.
It was Harry's father.
Oh! she said, with a grimace. I am sorry I was so nice to
him.
What the deuce am I to do with her?
I lectured her for a quarter of an hour on the ethics of the

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