Enter Bridget

urned?" asked Carrissima w

once. He was leaning back in an easy-chair, with his feet on the fender, a

inquired amicably, "whe

" she returned. "What have y

the spree! Such a glorious day! I couldn't resist the temptation. A man at the club-I don't think you know him-Comberbatch-asked me to share

t you?" Carris

el Faversham, with one of his boisterous laughs. "

, "I scarcely imagined

f goodness? Let me tell you I can pull a good oar still. If onl

ving the links from his shirt-cuff, he solemnly turned back the sleeve, then clenching his fis

hat!" h

ke your wo

isted, with his arm still bent.

felt his biceps with he

as wood,"

faction, as he turned down his shirtsleeve again; "

been the cause of considerable cogitation. He was hampered by the fear that Bridget might regard what he would like to bestow upon her as too significant, and in the end had selected a handsome and costly crocodile-hide dressing-bag. It would prov

arrissima's eyes unne

ions for the bag to be

t ten on Wednesday mor

dget gently but firml

ridget scarcely tasted, had, collectively and separately, inflamed Colonel Faversham to the sticking-point. When they reached Golfney Place at half-past five, another disappointment lay

m. During the day she had more than once dragged Mark's name into the conversation, and even

rteris Street, Colonel Faversham had reached the end of his tether. This delightful girl, with her ch

possibly be for delay? Surely he was entitled to please himself! Absurd to imagine that a man of his age

ng off her slender figure to the most admirable advantage. How many new frocks he had seen her wearing, Colonel Faversham found it difficult to cou

ccept all I have in the world and myself into the bargain. I am not going to blow my own trumpet. Thank goodness I was never that sort of man! I wish I were

you've taken me entir

id

own much more plainly what he wanted. There's not much shilly-

y long," she suggested. "It can't be mor

e colonel, "he ha

, "because you always change the subject when I

ar you say you like m

ers

ngly-with her head slightly on one side; and while he

to make me say what is

d be," urged Co

ietly. "It's a vastly important questi

for goodn

y tell you offhand. I shou

nel Faversham. "I would see to it we had a good time. There's n

by this time how unrea

ow, be a good gi

ow me," she returned, "becaus

e for me, and I don't care what the devil you are!" exclaimed Colo

ink I have a particle of what I suppose you mean by 'love' for any living being. Perhaps there's something

e me. Why do you keep me on tenterhooks? Say you

g," she insisted. "I can sa

do that!" Colonel Favers

ven her heart to Mark or any one else. Whether she was to be believed or not, however, his infatuation remained unaffected. He had reached a condition in which he longed for possession upon any terms what

ttle up my feelings for a week or so, will you

ut it must be distinctly understood. I am as f

consenting to keep the dressing-bag. She thanked him, indeed, very charmingly; so that, notwithstanding