“I—I—suppose not.”
“Why, of course there couldn’t. You have read his books, have you not?”
“All of them except his latest.”
“Well, I’ll lend you that, as you have been so kind as to offer me the reading of this one.”
“Thank you. After you have read it yourself.”
“And when you have become acquainted with Mr. Hodden, I want you to introduce him to me.”
“With pleasure. And—and when I do so, who shall I tell him the young lady is?”
The audacious girl laughed lightly, and, stepping back, made him a saucy bow.
“You will introduce me as Miss Caroline Jessop, of New York. Be sure that you say ‘New York,’ for that will account to Mr. Hodden for any eccentricities of conduct or conversation he may be good enough to notice. I suppose you think American girls are very forward? All Englishmen do.”
“On the contrary, I have always understood that they are very charming.”