"Of course," she replied, "I'm a woman, and have the instinct of the sex."
"Likewise the charms."
"Mr. Monteith, I cannot allow you to pay me any more compliments to-night; but you may call to-morrow at four, if you like, and I shall be prepared for your gallantry."
"I should like it above all things," he said, seriously.
"Why, how grave your face is! I shall have to call you the knight of the rueful countenance. Is anything the matter?"
"I don't know; there might be."
"What an ambiguous reply!" she said, glancing at him curiously. "Are you a spiritualist? Have you had an intimation that all is not right in the other worlds?"
Her flippancy displeased him, knowing the importance of the matter in question.
"Mrs. Taunton," he said, gravely, looking down at the little figure from his tall height, "I was introduced to you for a purpose, and I am going to take a liberty."
Mrs. Taunton looked a little frightened, and wondered if her good-looking cavalier were mad. He guessed her thoughts.