“Well, I can’t make up parties now; my friends are all in London.  She only wants something to flirt with.  Send for David Dodd.”

“What, for her to flirt with?”

“Yes; he is a handsome fellow; he will serve her turn.”

“For shame, uncle; what would Mr. Bazalgette say?  Poor aunt, she is a coquette now.”

“And has been this twenty years.”

“Now I was thinking—­Mr. Talboys?”

“Talboys is not at home; she must be content with lower game.  She shall bring down David.”

Lucy hesitated.  “I don’t think she will like Mr. Dodd, and I am sure he will not like her.”

“How can you know that?”

“He is so honest.  He will not understand a woman of the world and her little in—­sin—­ No, I don’t mean that.”

“Well, if he does not understand her he may like her.”

“Aunt, he has made me ask the Dodds to tea, and I am afraid you will not like them.”

“Well, if I don’t we must try some more natives to-morrow.  Who are they?” Lucy told her.  “Pretty people to ask to meet me,” said she, loftily.  This scorn dissolved in course of the evening.  Lucy, anxious her guests should be pleased with one another, drew the Dodds out, especially David—­made him spin a yarn.  With this and his good looks he so pleased Mrs. Bazalgette that it was the last yarn he ever span during her stay.  She took a fancy to him, and set herself to captivate him with sprightly ardor.

David received her advances politely, but a little coldly.  The lady was very agreeable, but she kept him from Lucy; he hardly got three words with her all the evening.  As they went home together, Eve sneered:  “Well, you managed nicely; it was your business to make friends with that lady.”

“With all my heart.”

“Then why didn’t you do what she bid you?”

“She gave me no orders that I heard,” said the literal first mate.

“She gave you a plain hint, though.”

“To do what?”

“To do what? stupid!  Why, to make love to her, to be sure.”

“Why, she is a married woman?”

“If she chooses to forget that, is it your business to remember it?”

“And if she was single, and the loveliest in the world, how could I court her when my heart is full of an angel?”

“If your heart is full, your head is empty.  Why, you see nothing.”

“I can’t see why I should belie my heart.”

“Can’t you?  Then I can.  David, in less than a month Miss Fountain goes to this lady and stays a quarter of a year:  she told me so herself.  Oh, my ears are always open in your service ever since I did agree to be as great a fool as you are.  Now don’t you see that if you can’t get Mrs. Bazalgette to invite you to her house, you must take leave of the other here forever?”

“I see what you mean, Eve; how wise you are!  It is wonderful.  But what is to be done?  I am bad at feigning.  I can’t make love to her.”