Arabella shook her head, and frowned.

"And—and—and—she—nothing."

"Well," said Sir Richard, "I must confess I have heard anecdotes with a little more point to them."

"You don't say so!" said Ben.

"I think I will go home," said Arabella, gently.

"If you will," replied the magistrate, "of course, I cannot say anything to stay you; but I think it will be a great disappointment to Colonel Jeffery not to meet with you to-day."

"Colonel Jeffery!" exclaimed Arabella, while her face became of the colour of a rose-bud; "Colonel Jeffery?"

There was just the ghost of a smile upon the face of Sir Richard Blunt, as he calmly replied—

"Yes; I am on my way to meet that gentleman in the garden of the Temple; and I am sure he would be glad to see you."

"Glad to see me?"