"'More pretty speeches,' said I, trying to laugh, for I had the grace to feel a little ashamed of my ill humor. 'You quite overwhelm me with them to-day—let me try my skill. Do you know that your dress is particularly becoming, and that you are looking your very loveliest to-day?'
"'Oh, my! no,' returned she, glancing at herself in the opposite mirror. 'I don't think the dress pretty at all—it's mamma's taste—and I am sure I am looking horribly. I told mamma I would not come in, only I was certain there was nobody here beside you.'
"'I have not seen Mrs. Harrington since the General left,' I said, by way of trying to bear my part in the conversation more than from any other reason; 'but her son is with her.'
"'Mr. Harrington is so devoted to his mother,' exclaimed Lucy. 'Mamma says that he is a model, and that so good a son could not fail to make—'
"She broke off with a little attempt at embarrassment, that was rather a failure.
"'Would make a good husband, you mean, I suppose,' returned I. 'That is the old proverb, I believe.'
"'Yes—but I hesitated—I'm so foolish. It always seems immodest to name such things outright.'
"'I am sorry that I am immodest,' said I, 'but straight-forward words are natural to me, and I utter them abruptly sometimes.'
"'I suppose I really ought to go and see if I can do anything for Mrs. Harrington. She is probably alone by this time.'
"At that moment the door opened, and James looked into the room. He did not see Lucy Eaton where he stood, and said coldly enough—