“How-do-you-do?” responded his lordship politely.
“Perhaps,” said Kitty, swallowing, “you don’t remember me, sir. I am Kitty Charing.”
“Of course!” he responded, coming forward, and shaking hands. “I thought I knew your face. But what a delightful surprise! Are you staying in London?”
“Well—well—I do hope so!” Kitty said, blushing vividly. “Only I am not expected, and perhaps it might not be quite convenient!”
Lord Legerwood’s calm gray eyes took note of the blush; a twinkle came into them. “Can it be that you have come to stay with us?” he suggested.
She stood considerably in awe of him, for his cool, well-bred manners were quite unlike her guardian’s, and made him seem immeasurably superior. He had an air of decided fashion, too, and an occasionally satirical tongue. The twinkle, however, reassured her. She smiled confidingly up at him, and said: “Yes, that is it! Freddy said you would not object to it, only, for my part, I did think we should have asked you first!”
“Freddy?” he said interrogatively.
She became a little confused. “Yes, sir. You see—Freddy brought me! He—he has gone to tell Lady Legerwood!”
That sapient eye caused her blushes to rise again. “Indeed?” said his lordship. “Has Freddy been visiting his great-uncle? Dear me! But what am I about, to be keeping you standing? Do, pray, sit down again, and tell me how all this comes about!”
She obeyed the first part of this command (for such she felt it to be), but said: “I think, perhaps, Freddy ought to tell you, sir. In fact, I am quite sure he should!”