"`I must beg a thousand pardons,' I began, `but I took you for
somebody else."

"`Oh, of course,' said she, with a shrug, `it's always that.'

"`You appear incredulous,' said I, rather offended.

"`Well, and if I am?' said she.

"My feelings were hurt. I produced Mary's second note.

"`If I can trust to your discretion, I'll prove what I say,' I
remarked in a nettled tone.

"`I shall be very curious to hear the proof, sir, and I will be
most discreet,' she said. She was pouting, but her eyes danced.
Really, she looked very pretty--although, of course, I would not
for a moment compare her with Lady Mary.

"`A lady,' said I, `was so kind as to tell me to seek her
here this morning.'

"`Oh, as if I believed that!'

"I was piqued.

"`There's the proof,' I cried, flinging the note into her lap.

"She took it up, glanced at it, and gave a little shriek.