"I don't see how you followed me," said Leon again.

"Well, I don't intend to let you know all my resources," said the lady,
with a smile, "for fear you will baffle me some other time. But now
come, don't let yourself get into a passion. Look at me, and see how
good-natured and sweet-tempered I am. Your reception of me is really
quite heart-rending, and I have a great mind to go back again at once
and leave you."

"I wish you would," said Leon, rudely.

"But I won't," said the lady. "So come, be yourself again, for you can
be sweet-tempered if you only try hard, you know."

"Now see here, Lucy," said Leon, sternly, "you don't know what you're
doing. It's all very well to pass it off as a frolic, but it won't do.
This business of mine is too serious to admit of trifling. If it were my
own affair, I wouldn't care; and even if I didn't want you, I should
submit with a good grace. But this is a matter of extreme delicacy, and
my father has sent me here because he was unable to come himself. It is
a--a law matter. I went to London merely to see the solicitors. I didn't
tell a soul about my business, and I thought that no one knew I was
coming here except my father and the solicitors."

"Well, but I'm always an exception, you know," said the lady,
pleasantly.

"Oh, see here, now," said the other, "it's all very well for you to
meddle with my own affairs; but you are now forcing yourself into the
midst of the concerns of others--the business affairs of two great