It was irritating to wait, but it was soothing to know she was at home "partic'lar" when he called. The General sat down to peruse the advertisement sheet of the paper, reading absently a long and laudatory description of the trousseaux and other articles for family use supplied by a certain house in the city at less than cost price!
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS
His studies were soon interrupted by the rustle of a dress on the staircase. With difficulty he forbore rushing out to meet its wearer, but managed to preserve the composure of an ordinary morning visitor, when the door opened, and—enter Mrs. Lushington! She must have read his disappointment in his face; for she looked half-amused, half-provoked, and there was no less malice than mirth in her eyes while she observed—
"Blanche will be down directly, General, and don't be afraid I shall interrupt your tête-à-tête, for I am going away as soon as I've written a note. You can rehearse all the charming things you have got to say in the meantime."
He had recovered his savoir-faire.
"Rehearse them to you?" he asked, laughing. "It would be pretty practice, no doubt. Shall I begin?"
"Not now," she answered, in the same tone. "There is hardly time; though Blanche wouldn't be very cross about it, I dare say. She is liberal enough, and knows she can trust me."