The Hoyden

the little soft round cap that, defiant of the sun, she wears, and flings it sky-high, catching it deftly as it descends upon the top of her dainty head, a little sideways. Her pretty, soft

r something to each other, and laugh a little. After all, they have lost-perhaps they are somewhat spiteful. Lady Rylton, sitting on the terrace above

cted her, and who had not the slightest idea of the real meaning of it, had shrugged his shoulders. After all, let her have her own way to the last. There would be enough to pay the debts and a little over for her; and for him, poverty, a new lif

s Captain Marryatt, w

ys leaning

queer eyes growing a little queerer. "But Miss Bolton, how

ower, who is lying on a r

Chichester, whose manners

d him, and she gives him a little dig

m bad ther

bad everywhere," sa

ng! My heart is a hea

ecstat

above a flirtation with a man whom she knows is beyon

ould gladly see me dead?"

says she, tilting her chin. "Why don't you fa

d; but," looking at her, "I don't seem to get on. Y

eeing that Marryatt is growing a little enraged.

was Nature

yatt, breaking into the t?te-?-t?te

him with deep interest. "It cannot be Mrs. Bolton you refer to, as she is unfortunatel

he?" asks Mr

admirer; a little amused light h

erson to propose to her, considering how you haunt

a cousin of the late Sir Maurice, and an aunt of Gower's, from whom much is to be expected by the

r. Gower with enthusiasm. "Come and

oning her warmly to it, knowing as he well does that her bo

er a more elevated positio

, who really ought to be ashamed of him

y, and goes ba

hune gaily, who has just arrived. "W

o her during the past week, but she has been apparently blind to the brilliant prospects

er?" asks Mr

d deal in the chocolate-cream b

referred t

, much!"

Bethune, with a shrug. "I do lo

listening to them, and laughing here and there-a man from the Ca

subdued, and she is glad of the opportunity of giving some

ys," says she, smiling, but very unplea

all," says the boy, reddening furiously. "O

g at him always; but it is a fixed smile now, an

without knowing it

n-mig

" says the bo

that to praise a woman to a woman is to bring on

and doesn't care about his manners, and who rather dislikes Mrs.

direct

er head, but very sweetly

tone, looking round him. He turns himself on his rug, pulls a cushi

says Mrs. Bethun

looks

ginal-is the thing nowadays. Have you noticed when she lau

e us! I'm sure you must be portraying Miss Bolto

lton's laugh, Rylton?" to Sir Maurice, who had come up a moment ago, and had been listening to Mrs.

y _inches," says Sir Mau

augh itsel

," says Sir Maurice, w

th

such a cause?" says the young caval

s. Chichester, who is

ied with eyes be

have puzzled a good many people-puts an effectual end to the conversation. Mr. Gower gr

ton call

. "Come here to me, darling. Next to me on this seat. Marian," to Mrs. Bethune, wh

deal," sa

ri

ure to her to reseat herself. "No, thank you, Lady Rylton; I sha

ardless of the honour Lady Rylton would have done her-regardl

upon her a bea

is," says he, "that yo

not," says Ti

o understand, then, that you

Tita, with a little side-glance at hi

teasing. "Then you do wish to sit beside me! And why not?" He expand

says Tita, with

is listeni

ne to her heart. She turns to him,

flirt!" says sh

ere child,"

height of his enjoyment. "And after last night, too

urprised face-a delightful little face, as sweet a

voice. "Already? Do you mean to tell me that you don't recolle

ta, with emphasis; "never! n

wer as if deman

onundrums," says h

t," says sh

the rug, and covers his head. It is plain

says Tita, appeali

he, laughing. "Certain

idn't either," says

lic life; I shall give myself up to"-he pauses and looks round; a fav

ide, and apparently be

ng, Maurice?" asks M

h of his to Tita, uttered some time

urns he a

regard to her. Distrust, disbelief, a sen

ing forward. As I have hinted, she would have flirted w

ill play with me," says

hrough half-closed lids. She finds that sort of gl

Mr. Gower, who never

Chichester sharply. "Come, what's in it? I don't

nd it's too exciting for words. Just listen to this: 'Two dozen old tooth-brushes (in good preservation) would be exchanged for a gold bangle (unscratched). Would

ve a word of it," says Tita,

Old toothbrushes, you notice. Everything old now g

round, but providentially

shes! Show me

n, disbeliev

ld want a t

awfully," says Mr. Gowe

ice sees it his d

y this next set with me?"

o good a player. Do get us some decent people

nd manage it," says he,

e away t