"He lives in London. What does he do? Nothing particular. What does he like? He likes a rubber of whist, he likes politics, he likes his own way. He is certain to like you."
"Oh, I always get on well with old gentlemen," she rejoined with some complacency.
Her companion looked at her with an odd twinkle in his eye, and said,—
"As, for instance?"
"As, for instance, the General, Colonel Home, Dr. Parkes."
"And you call them old gentlemen! Why, they are men in the prime of life! Perhaps you consider me an old gentleman also!"
"Nonsense," she returned with a smile. "Now tell me something about your mother."
"Ah! my mother," he answered with a sudden change in his expression. "My mother died five years ago."
"I am sorry," began Helen.
"And I am sorry, that she did not live to know you. She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw—and the best."