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 romance in its unabridged form? Could you tell me all about it?"

Pollyooly assumed the grave air of the narrator and told him of the Lump's birthday treat, of the request of the strange gentleman, and of the Lump's delivery of the note in the bunch of violets. She dwelt at length on the pretty way in which the Lump had handed the violets to the wrong lady. Then she explained that Captain Croome wished to borrow her to perform other jobs for him of a like nature and probably to be paid for with a like munificence.

The Honorable John Ruffin listened to her with smiling attention, and at the end he said:

"Yet another unsuspected talent. You are full of surprises, Mrs. Bride; full of them. But, after all, it is only natural that a person of your genius for grilling bacon, should have all the accomplishments. You are versatile, indeed."

"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly politely, but with a very dim understanding of his meaning, though she gathered that he was complimenting her.

"But if the lady's mother addressed her as 'Grizel,' she must be Lady Grizel Harland; and Croome will borrow you in vain," he went on thoughtfully.