It stuck me that this curious woman with the odd bonnet, would amuse me as well as any other lion, pour le moment, and being acquainted with Amy's poor beau the Count Palmella, I told her she might come to me the following day.
She seemed absolutely enraptured, as though mine had been an atmosphere which would rain men upon her, and our bargain was concluded. She was a straight, tall, long-backed lath of a woman, with a remarkably long face, small twinkling eyes, fine hair, and a bad skin, in spite of the white paint she used to beautify it. So much for Miss Eliza Higgins.
The next evening found us all quite rayonnante, waiting for our dinner in Mr. Dick's elegant drawing-room.
"We will certainly not wait for Mr. Ward," said Dick, looking at his watch.
"To be sure not, who the devil waits for men?" exclaimed Lord Alvanly.
There was a thundering rap at the door, and then entered the Honourable Mr. Ward, looking for all the world like a tobacconist. He was followed by his servant to the very door of the drawing-room. He hoped he had kept nobody waiting.
"To be sure not," said Alvanly, "who the devil would wait for you?"
"I would, all my life, and with all imaginable patience," I observed.
"Ha! ha!" said Ward, growing pale, while he affected to be amused.