"He is handsome," assented Lord John, "and he's more pleasing than handsome. Fred St. John's one of the best fellows going. We were together at Christchurch."
"Is he staying at Belport?"
"Only passing through, he tells me. He has been dining at the Maxwells' and they brought him here this evening."
"I wish you'd introduce him to me."
("Well done, Rose," thought Mary Carr, who was near.)
"With pleasure," replied Lord John: and he offered his arm to Rose.
"No," said Rose, in her changeable, capricious, but most attractive manner, withdrawing her own as soon as she had taken it, "I think I'll go up to him myself. We are relatives, you know."
"Indeed!" said Lord John.
"Connections, at any rate," concluded Rose.
She chose a moment when Mr. St. John was alone, and approached him. Beginning the self-introduction by holding out her hand. Mr. St. John looked surprised.