of the pocket of the latter tumbling some long golden tresses of hair.

'What an extraordinary woman,' said Ethelberta. 'A perfect Cinderella.
The idea of Joey getting desperate about a woman like that; no doubt she
has just come in from meeting him.'

'No doubt--a blockhead. That's his taste, is it! I'll soon see if I
can't cure his taste if it inclines towards Mrs. Menlove.'

'Mrs. what?'

'Menlove; that's her name. She came about a fortnight ago.'

'And is that Menlove--what shall we do!' exclaimed Ethelberta. 'The idea
of the boy singling out her--why it is ruin to him, to me, and to us
all!'

She hastily explained to her father that Menlove had been Lady
Petherwin's maid and her own at some time before the death of her mother-
in-law, that she had only stayed with them through a three months' tour
because of her flightiness, and hence had learnt nothing of Ethelberta's
history, and probably had never thought at all about it. But
nevertheless they were as well acquainted as a lady and her maid well
could be in the time. 'Like all such doubtful characters,' continued
Ethelberta, 'she was one of the cleverest and lightest-handed women we
ever had about us. When she first came, my hair was getting quite weak;
but by brushing it every day in a peculiar manner, and treating it as
only she knew how, she brought it into splendid condition.'

'Well, this is the devil to pay, upon my life!' said Mr. Chickerel, with