"
"Delicious! I had the honor, madam, of laying certain proposals at your
feet."
"Oh! yes--your letter, Sir Charles. I have only just had time to run my
eye down it. Let us examine it together."
She took out the letter with a wonderful appearance of interest, and the
diplomat allowed himself to fall into the absurd position to which she
invited him. They put their two heads together over the letter.
"'A coach, a country-house, pin-money'--and I'm so tired of houses and
coaches and pins. Oh! yes, here's something; what is this you offer me,
up in this corner?"
Sir Charles inspected the place carefully, and announced that it was "his
heart."
"And he can't even write it!" said she. "That word is 'earth.' Ah! well,
you know best. There is your letter, Sir Charles."
She courtesied, returned him the letter, and resumed her study of
Lothario.
"Favor me with your answer, madam," said her suitor.
"You have it," was the reply.
"Madam, I don't understand your answer," said Sir Charles, stiffly.
"I can't find you answers and understandings, too," was the lady-like
reply. "You must beat my answer into your understanding while I beat this
man's verse into mine.
'And like the birds, etc.'"
Pomander recovered himself a little; he laughed with quiet insolence.
"Tell me," said he, "do you really refuse?"
"My good soul," said Mrs.
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