I can safely say that of all the monstrous behaviour--" then language
failed her and she relapsed into silence.

However, when Daphne and young Holsworthy returned, I had as much talk
with him as I could, and when he left the house I left also.

"Which way are you walking?" I asked, as we turned out into the street.

"Towards my rooms in the Temple."

"Oh! I'm going back to St. Nathaniel's," I continued. "If you'll allow
me, I'll walk part way with you."

"How very kind of you!"

We strode side by side a little distance in silence. Then a thought
seemed to strike the lugubrious young man. "What a charming girl your
cousin is!" he exclaimed, abruptly.

"You seem to think so," I answered, smiling.

He flushed a little; the lantern jaw grew longer. "I admire her, of
course," he answered. "Who doesn't? She is so extraordinarily handsome."

"Well, not exactly handsome," I replied, with more critical and
kinsman-like deliberation. "Pretty, if you will; and decidedly pleasing
and attractive in manner."

He looked me up and down, as if he found me a person singularly
deficient in taste and appreciation. "Ah, but then, you are her cousin,"