by the rudeness and rough treatment of this unspoilt girl. With an involuntary and genuine glance of devotion at her, he raised himself on his elbow and said timidly,—
‘No, Miss Newman, I don’t feel it now, and if I did, you have more than made up for it.’
‘I’m thankful you’re not the worse,’ said Lesbia gently. ‘But I see we understand each other better now, and I will always be your friend if you wish it; that is the most I am likely to say to any man.’
Julius understood the hint thus delicately and promptly conveyed on purpose to prevent him from commiting himself to a declaration which frivolous young ladies would have been only too ready to gratify their vanity by evoking. The next time he had occasion to speak of Lesbia Newman behind her back, he did not say he hated her, but expressed his opinion fearlessly that ‘she’s queer, but a noble gurl for all that.’
Meanwhile the hostess in another part of the rooms was saying to Lesbia’s uncle,—
‘I do hope nothing has prevented the Cardinal from coming; I thought he would have been here before now. En attendant, let me introduce you to another acquaintance of his, Miss Francesca Wilson; it was through her I heard of his wish to meet you.’
‘Pray, Miss Wilson,’ asked Mr Bristley, when they had been introduced, ‘do you know why Cardinal Power is so good as to be interested on my account? I have not hitherto found myself sought out by Catholic prelates.’
‘Yes, it’s very simple, Mr Bristley,’ she answered. ‘Though I have known the cardinal for years, and we are firm friends, I may tell you at once that not even he has been able to induce me formally to enter the Church for
