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 attentions. And they aren't unwelcome—I know they aren't."

"Well, if you're sure of that, you've only got to be patient. Lady Grizel has much too much character to marry the Otter, if she really cares for you."

"Oh, come, Ruffin, you know that it isn't safe. You know that girls are always being worried and badgered and bullied into marrying these rich bounders they hate. That's one of the things that keeps the divorce court so full," said Captain Croome unhappily.

"Yes; there is that danger," said the Honorable John Ruffin thoughtfully. "And, after all, things do look bad; they're not quite twentieth century; there's a mediæval breadth about Lady Tullislaith's methods; and I don't think there's much she'd stick at. I do loathe the old cat."

"So do I," said Captain Croome heartily. "What am I to do?"

"Well, when you meet the Middle Ages the only thing to do is to be mediæval. But you can't carry off a girl by force nowadays—at least it's difficult, if she's been well brought up and active with golf and