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 Ruffin's tea into his sitting-room, she said: "Please, sir, Ronald—Lord Ronald Ricksborough, I mean—has been here."

"The deuce he has!" said the Honorable John Ruffin. "And what did he say when he saw you?"

"He seemed pleased, sir. You see, we got to know each other very well at the court," said Pollyooly in an explanatory tone.

"I've no doubt he was pleased—the pleasing sight gives pleasure to the ingenuous boy, as his Latin exercise book doubtless assures him. I expect he was surprised, too."

"Yes, sir. We went to the park," said Pollyooly.

The Honorable John Ruffin raised his hands with an air of the liveliest surprise, and cried: "We live indeed in a precocious age. I did not expect to be confronted by the question of followers for years and years. Oh, Pollyooly, Pollyooly, what is your sex coming to?"

"I don't know, sir," said Pollyooly gravely.

"And in your case the question of followers is a difficult one. If I had not decided that since you resided here you were my housekeeper, and must be called Mrs. Bride, it would be quite easy. But I do