"So it turned out that she was Sombourne's grand-daughter," resumed Sir Horace, "daughter of that Lady Vera, who made a bolt of it instead of marrying Sir Job Gilderman. Lord, what a hub-bub! I remember it like yesterday. The girl has not lost her looks, and, by all accounts, she will have a good fortune. I say, what do you think?"
"Oh, I think I'm going to speak to her," replied his nephew, who had risen to his feet, yielding to an impulse he only half understood.
"All right; don't mind me."
Captain Haig walked a few paces across the turf and confronted Verona, and swept off his hat.
"Oh, Captain Haig, how do you do?" she exclaimed. "I did not know you were at home."
"I arrived a month ago—sick certificate."
"Let me introduce you to my aunt, Lady Ida Eustace—my grandfather, Lord Sombourne."
What a different class to the former family to which she had made him known!
"I believe we met in India," said Lady Ida, offering her five and three-quarter hand. "Positively this has been a real Indian day; we came out for a breath of air and are just going home to tea, close by. Will you join us?"
Captain Haig accepted the invitation with flattering alacrity, and presently fell behind with the young lady. As they passed close to Sir Horace that gentleman made a quick little sign to his nephew, as much as to say: