“Mightn’t you go into parliament?” suggested Bridget.

“Original minds there are at a discount.”

“Is your mind original?”

“An independent member is certain to be shunted at the first opportunity,” said Jimmy.  “They want men who think in droves.”

“There’s the army,” returned Bridget.  “At least you might learn how to defend your country.”

“Yes, I have done that,” he said, as they reached Hyde Park Corner.  “I used to be in the —­th Hussars.  Unfortunately, I got a rather bad sunstroke in India.  That may account for any small eccentricity you notice.”

“I was wondering,” answered Bridget.

“As I had to come home,” he explained, “and to keep quiet for I don’t know how long, I sold out.  Since then I’ve raised a troop of yeomanry at Atlinghurst.  I have a place there, you know.”

“Surely you might find a useful occupation in its management!”

“I did,” said Jimmy, “until it was taken away.”

“How?” asked Bridget.

“Simply because of one of the prettiest girls you have ever seen,” he answered, bringing Bridget’s eyes again to his face.

“I understand,” she murmured.

“I’m certain you don’t,” he said, with a laugh.  “Erica Danvers.  She got herself engaged to a man who used to be at Trinity with me.  The misfortune was that he had six brothers older than himself.  Well, Erica came to me one day and declared she had hit on a capital plan.  Why shouldn’t I make Bolsover my steward, pay him a living wage, and all the rest of it.  He and Erica have twins,” added Jimmy.

Bridget walked a few yards along Piccadilly in silence.

“You have been extraordinarily unfortunate,” she said rather gravely, “although you ought to be pitied rather than blamed.”

“Not since I met you the other afternoon.  Do you see much of old Faversham?” he asked, for the colonel’s admiration had been manifest at Grandison Square.

“He has always been very kind to me,” she faltered.

“Surely you meet with kindness everywhere,” said Jimmy.

“Except from Fate!” answered Bridget, with a sigh.

“Wait and see!” he exclaimed.  “The better part of life is before you.”

“Are you by way of telling my fortune?” asked Bridget.

“I hope to be allowed to influence it,” said Jimmy, as she stopped at the corner of Dover Street.  “You will let me come and see you,” he urged, taking her hand.

“You said your sister was coming!” Bridget reminded him.

“Yes,” he said.

“You must ask her to bring you.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE WOOING O’T

Jimmy Clynesworth now began to employ all his arts to induce Sybil to take some notice of Bridget.  His eagerness, however, stood in his way.  The more forcibly he attempted to convince his sister of his desire, the more obstinately she maintained her ground.  Her hand was strengthened by a visit to Charteris Street, where Victor often attracted her, although some glass beads on her jacket made the child regard her as an enemy.