"Then, no more bones, m'sieur."
"No, no more bones," warned Miss Tyler. "Oh! may we tell that you are thinking of settling in Maryland?"
"Lord! no!" Then, when they both laughed, he added: "I do not want to raise the ladies' hopes too high—I might not remain, you know." (Which is as good as saying I am not married—without saying it, he reflected.)
Herford had been trying to overhear their talk, and, now, a sudden lull, around the table, afforded him the opportunity.
"What is that?" he called out. "Thinking of settling in Maryland—do they mean you, Sir Edward?"
"No!" replied Parkington, instantly. "We were speaking of the Devil—and wondering, if he were to settle here, how long he would escape inquisitive questions. May be you can answer."
It was said smilingly, and apparently with the best spirit, but none who heard it missed the sting. And in Herford's face a faint color came, and his eyes snapped.
"It would depend on how it pleased him to masquerade," he retorted; "some disguises are, you know, more effective than others, but I should say he would be most successful as an English gentleman."
Sir Edward's smile broadened into a laugh, and the rest of the table, seeing that he took it so, joined in.