Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/16

 that distance by myself in an omnibus! There is such a sweet shop for bargains in St. Paul's Churchyard, and you passed me just as I turned in."

"You should not go into the City unescorted," said Miss Augusta Semaphore severely; "I have told you that over and over again, but you are so heedless. It is not comme il faut."

"What do you think would happen to her?" asked Mr. Lorimer gruffly. He was a young man of combative instincts and no manners, with whom Miss Semaphore waged a deadly but, on her side, perfectly civil warfare.

"My dear father," went on Miss Semaphore, without taking any notice, "who was a distinguished military officer, strongly objected to girls going about alone."

"That was all very well thirty years ago," objected Mr. Lorimer, "but nowadays, if people conduct themselves properly, there is no earthly reason why they should not go about alone at fit and proper hours, once they have come to years of discretion."

"I can assure you," said Mrs. Dumaresq, assuming a grand air, and slightly raising her voice, as she always did when she meant to