the gentleman of the monocle swept all these with an indifferent look
and cast his eyes upward until he caught sight of the two girls.
Thereupon he made a most gracious bow in their direction; his broad
face beamed in a genial smile, and he waved a white hand.

"Do you know Mr. Elphick, Mr. Spargo?" enquired the younger Miss
Aylmore.

"I rather think I've seen him, somewhere about the Temple," answered
Spargo. "In fact, I'm sure I have."

"His chambers are in Paper Buildings," said Jessie. "Sometimes he gives
tea-parties in them. He is Ronald's guardian, and preceptor, and
mentor, and all that, and I suppose he's dropped into this court to
hear how his pupil goes on."

"Here is Ronald," whispered Miss Aylmore.

"And here," said her sister, "is his lordship, looking very cross. Now,
Mr. Spargo, you're in for it."

Spargo, to tell the truth, paid little attention to what went on
beneath him. The case which young Breton presently opened was a
commercial one, involving certain rights and properties in a promissory
note; it seemed to the journalist that Breton dealt with it very well,
showing himself master of the financial details, and speaking with
readiness and assurance. He was much more interested in his companions,
and especially in the younger one, and he was meditating on how he
could improve his further acquaintance when he awoke to the fact that
the defence, realizing that it stood no chance, had agreed to withdraw,