“He seems to have the knack of interesting women,” Rochester remarked.

“And therefore, I suppose,” Lady Mary said, “you men will all hate him. Never mind, I have changed my opinion entirely. I think that he is going to be an acquisition to the neighborhood, and I am going to study occultism.”

Rochester turned away with a barely concealed grimace. He went up to Lois, calmly usurping Saton’s place.

“My dear Lois,” he said, as they fell behind a few paces, “so your latest young man has been charming everybody.”

“He is nice, isn’t he?” she answered, turning to him a little impulsively.

“Marvelously!” Rochester answered. “Hatefully so! Has he told you anything, by the bye, about himself?”

She shook her head.

“Nothing that I can remember,” she answered. “He is so clever,” she added, enthusiastically, “and he has explained all sorts of wonderful things to me. If one had only brains,” she continued, with a little sigh, “there is so much to learn.”

Rochester picked a great red rose and handed it to her.