"You must not blame me," she said, "for whatever happens. You choose to
run the risk."

"Nothing can happen but what will be for his greatest good," said the
colonel, gallantly.

"You may introduce him to me," said Lady Amelie, "and I will do the best
I can for him."

"You will be at the Duchess of Hexham's ball this evening?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "You have described your charge, Colonel Mostyn; now
I know the carte du pays. It would be better not to mention having seen
me."

"Certainly not"--

"Let me see," she interrupted. "I am to teach him what life is like in
this nineteenth century, to try to inoculate him with modern ideas; to
teach him how to appreciate the society of ladies; he shall learn his
lesson well."

There was something in her peerless face and her brilliant smile that
made Colonel Mostyn pause, and wonder if after all he had done a wise
thing.

"The boy cannot be hurt," he said to himself; "he has too much sense to
fall in love with a married lady. A violent flirtation will do him good,
and cure him of his absurd ideas."