"Confound her!" muttered Archie, "can she say nothing but 'Yes, sir?' But the most beautiful lady present is by my side," he continued, aloud, to see how she would swallow so palpable a dose of flattery.
"Yes, sir!"
"Whew! if that's not cool! I wonder if the girl's an idiot!" thought Master Archie. Then, aloud: "Do you know you're very beautiful?"
"Yes. I know it."
A stare of surprise followed this answer. Then he continued:
"You are a most bewitching young lady! Never was so much charmed by anybody in my life!"
"Sorry I can't return the compliment."
"Hallo!" thought Archie, rather taken aback. "She's not such a fool as I took her to be. What do you think of that lady!" he added, pointing to a handsome but dark-complexioned girl, whom report said would one day be Mrs Rivers.
"Oh! I don't think her pretty at all—she's such a gipsy."
Archie gave a little start at the name. Poor Gipsy! he had quite forgotten her of late.