Millicent Chyne saw no reason why she should not pass the time by
studying him, merely, of course, in a safe and innocent manner. She
was one of those intelligent young ladies who think deeply--about
young men. And such thinking usually takes the form of speculation
as to how the various specimens selected will act under specified
circumstances. The circumstances need hardly be mentioned. Young
men are only interesting to young women in circumstances strictly
personal to and bearing upon themselves. In a word, maidens of a
speculative mind are always desirous of finding out how different
men will act when they are in love; and we all know and cannot fail
to applaud the assiduity with which they pursue their studies.

"Ah!" said Miss Chyne, "it is very good of you to take pity upon two
lone females. I was afraid that you had gone off to the wilds of
America or somewhere in search of big game. Do you know, Mr.
Oscard, you are quite a celebrity? I heard you called the 'big-game
man' the other day, also the 'travelling fellow.'"

The specimen smiled happily under this delicate handling.

"It is not," he said modestly, "a very lofty fame. Anybody could
let off a rifle."

"I am afraid I could not," replied Millicent, with a pretty little
shudder of horror, "if anything growled."

"Mr. Oscard has just been telling me," interposed Lady Cantourne
conversationally, "that he is thinking of going off to the wilds
again."