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50 and Mr. Romaine. Chess is one of the best and cleverest fellows going, and of good family, although he is a medical man, and he is traveling with Mr. Romaine—a rich old hypochondriac, I imagine."

As soon as he mentioned Mr. Romaine a flood of light burst upon Letty. "Is n't he a Virginian?—an American, I mean? And did n't grandpapa know him hundreds of years ago?" she asked, eagerly.

"I have heard he was born in Virginia, as poor Chessingham knows to his cost," answered Sir Archy, laughing quietly. "After having gone all over Europe, Asia, and Africa, the old hunks at last made up his mind that he would come back to America. Chess was very well pleased, particularly as Mrs, Chessingham and Miss Maywood were invited to come as his guests. But old Romaine swears he means to take the whole party back to Virginia to his old place there that he has n't seen for forty years, and naturally they 'll find it dull."

Sir Archy possessed in perfection that appalling English frankness which puts to shame the characteristic American caution. But Sir Archy's mistake was Farebrother's opportunity.