The lady held out her hand. "I hope we shall be excellent
neighbours.--My sister.--You remember little Lena," she added to the
brothers. "She stole a march on us, I find. I heard of your
encounter on Friday. It was too bad of you not to come in and let
us send you home; I hope you did not get very wet, Lady Rosamond.--
Ah! Mr. Strangeways, I did not know you were there," she proceeded,
as the youngest of the officers accosted her; "come over and see us.
You're better provided now; but come to luncheon any day. I am sure
to be at home at half-past one; and I want so much to hear of your
mother and sisters." And with a universal bow and smile she
nourished her whip, her ponies jangled their bells, and the ladies
vanished.

"Stunning pair that!" was young Strangeways' exclamation.

"Most beautiful!" murmured Cecil, in a low voice, as if she was
quite dazzled. "You never said she was like that," she added
reproachfully to Julius.

"Our encounter was in the dark," he answered.

"Oh, I did not mean the young one, but Lady Tyrrell. She is just
like a gem we saw at Firenze--which was it?"

"Where?" said Raymond, bewildered.

"Firenze--Florence," she said, deigning to translate; and finding
her own reply. "Ah, yes, the Medusa!" then, as more than one
exclaimed in indignant dismay, she said, "No, not the Gorgon, but
the beautiful winged head, with only two serpents on the brow and