"I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Gilman," said Miss Raffles. "I am sure you will be an honor to our noble profession."
"I hope so, Miss Raffles," said Jed smilingly, "but I shall be able to tell better to-morrow."
"I always sympathize with youth—with impulsive, enthusiastic youth," gushed Miss Raffles.
"If they are of the male sex," interpolated Mr. Osprey. "Mr. Gilman, I must warn you that Miss Raffles is a dangerous woman. She will do her best to make an impression on your heart."
"Oh, you wicked slanderer!" said the delighted Celesta. "Mr. Gilman, I am not dangerous at all. I will merely ask you to look upon me as your sister—your elder sister."
"Thank you, Miss Raffles," said Jed, showing a tact and self-possession hardly to be expected of one with his training. "Is Mr. Osprey one of your brothers?"
"Yes, she told me that she would be a sister to me. I have never—never recovered from the blow."
"I may change my mind," said Celesta, who admired the handsome leading man. "If you try again, you may meet with better success——"
"No," answered Osprey warily. "I never ask the same favor a second time. I leave you to Mr. Gilman. May you be happy, my children!"
As Celesta Raffles looked to be thirty-five, and Jed was but sixteen, he was a good deal amused, but Miss Raffles was disposed to take the matter in earnest.