cogitation. He was hampered by the fear that Bridget might regard what
he would like to bestow upon her as too significant, and in the end had
selected a handsome and costly crocodile-hide dressing-bag. It would
prove suitable for her honeymoon, and it was with not a little regret
that he felt bound to order the initials "B. R." to be engraved on the
gold stoppers of the bottles, instead of "B. F." The alteration could,
however, no doubt be made in due season.

Not wishing to open Carrissima's eyes unnecessarily soon, Colonel
Faversham gave instructions for the bag to be sent to Number 5, Golfney
Place, before half-past ten on Wednesday morning, and he felt deeply
disappointed when Bridget gently but firmly refused to accept it.

Incongruously enough, she was persuaded nevertheless to accompany him
to Richmond, and the drive at close quarters in the taxi-cab, the
_tête-à-tête_ meal, the bottle of champagne which Bridget scarcely
tasted, had, collectively and separately, inflamed Colonel Faversham to
the sticking-point. When they reached Golfney Place at half-past five,
another disappointment lay in store for him, inasmuch as she refused to
allow him to enter the house--she felt too tired after the drive! He
could come to-morrow, and, meantime, he might send for the dressing-bag.

She could be so tantalizing now and then, that it was easy to believe
she was scoffing at him. During the day she had more than once dragged
Mark's name into the conversation, and even Carrissima did not feel
more curious respecting their precise relationship than her father.

Notwithstanding his anxiety concerning the critic on his hearth, and
the more exacerbating one in Charteris Street, Colonel Faversham had
reached the end of his tether. This delightful girl, with her charming