"Egad, mam, I won't! Trust me——"
"Trust a man? Never, sir, 'tis a naughty sex. But talking of Bet, her head is quite turned, she suffers constantly from a surfeit of worshipping wooers, her will is their law, her merest glance or gesture a command—see her yonder, surrounded by her court yet must she have you also—see how she summons you!"
"Summons me—me, mam?" enquired the Major, a little breathlessly. "Nay, I see no summons!"
"With her eyes, sir!"
"Indeed she doth but glance this way."
"I know that trick o' the eyelash, sir! But as I say, Bet hath been spoiled by a too implicit masculine obedience, she groweth more imperious daily. If she but had someone to thwart her a little, cross her occasionally, 'twould do her a world of good."
"Certainly, mam!" he answered, all his attention centred upon that lovely, animated form on the lawn below.
"See—now she beckons you!"
"Egad, so she does!" he exclaimed, his eyes suddenly joyous. "Your pardon, mam, I must—" he gasped, for, attempting to rise, he found himself held and to his horror, perceived Lady Belinda's fingers twisted firmly in the silver-laced lapel of his coat-pocket. "Madam," he exclaimed in great agitation, "I beg—for the love of——"
"Sit still, sir—'twill do her a world of good!"