Havinginstalledherself，withfeminineinstinct，inacrimsoncouchthatframedhertoperfection，ZoeVizardwasatworkembroidering。Shehadsomeflowers，andtheirleaves，lyingnearheronalittletable，and，withcoloredsilks，chenille，etc。，sheimitatedeachfloweranditsleafveryadroitlywithoutapattern。Thiswasclever，and，indeed，ratherararetalent；butsheloweredherheadoverthisworkwithademure，beamingcomplacencyembroideryaloneneveryetexcitedwithoutexternalassistance。Accordingly，onalargestool，orlittleottoman，atherfeet，butatarespectfuldistance，satayoungman，almosthermatchinbeauty，thoughinquiteanotherstyle。Inheightaboutfivefeetten，broad-shouldered，clean-built，amodelofstrength，agility，andgrace。
　　Hisfacefair，fresh，andhealthy-looking；hislargeeyeshazel；thecrispcurlinghaironhisshapelyheadawonderfulbrowninthemass，butwithonethinstreakofgoldabovetheforehead，andalltheloosehairsglitteringgolden。Ashortclippedmustachesavedhimfromlookingtoofeminine，yetdidnothidehisexpressivemouth。Hehadwhitehands，assoftandsuppleasawoman's，amellowvoice，andawinningtongue。ThisdangerousyounggentlemanwasgazingsoftlyonZoeVizardandpurringinherear；andshewasconsciousofhisgazewithoutlookingathim，andwassippingthehoney，andshowedit，byseemingmoreabsorbedinherworkthangirlseverreallyare。
　　Matters，however，hadnotgoneopenlyveryfar。Shewasstillonherdefense:so，afterimbibinghisflatteriesdemurelyalongtime，shediscovered，allinonemoment，thattheywereobjectionable。"Dearme，Mr。Severne，"saidshe，"youdonothingbutpaycompliments。"
　　"HowcanIhelpit，sittinghere?"inquiredhe。
　　"There——there，"saidshe:then，quietly，"Doesitneveroccurtoyouthatonlyfoolishpeoplearepleasedwithflatteries?"
　　"Ihaveheardthat；butIdon'tbelieveit。Iknowitmakesmeawfullyhappywheneveryousayakindwordofme。"
　　"Thatisfarfromprovingyourwisdom，"saidZoe；"and，insteadofdwellingonmyperfections，whichdonotexist，Iwishyouwould_tell_
　　methings。"
　　"Whatthings?"
　　"HowcanItelltillIhearthem?Well，then，thingsaboutyourself。"
　　"Thatisapoorsubject。"
　　"Letmebethejudge。"
　　"Oh，therearelotsoffellowswhoarealwaystalkingaboutthemselves:
　　letmebeanexception。"
　　ThisanswerpuzzledZoe，andshewassilent，andputonacoldlook。Shewasnotaccustomedtoberefusedanythingreasonable。
　　Severneexaminedherclosely，andsawhewasexpectedtoobeyher。Hethenresolvedtoprepare，inadayortwo，anautobiographyfullofdetailsthatshouldsatisfyZoe'scuriosity，andwinheradmirationandherlove。Buthecouldnotdoitallinamoment，becausehismemoryofhisreallifeobstructedhisfancy。Meantimeheoperatedadiversion。Hesaid，"Setapoorfellowanexample。Tellmesomethingabout_yourself——_sinceIhavethebadtaste，andthepresumption，tobeinterestedinyou，andcan'thelpit。DidyouspringfromthefoamoftheArchipelago?orareyoudescendedfromBacchusandAriadne?"
　　"Ifyouwantsensibleanswers，asksensiblequestions，"saidZoe，tryingtofrownhimdownwithherblackbrows；buthersweetcheekwouldtintitself，andhersweetmouthsmileandexposemuchintercoralivory。
　　"Well，then，"saidhe，"Iwillaskyouaprosaicquestion，andIonlyhopeyouwon'tthinkitimpertinent。How——ever——didsuchastrangelyassortedpartyasyourscometotraveltogether?AndifVizardhasturnedwoman-hater，ashepretends，howcomeshetobeattheheadofafemalepartywhoarenot_all_ofthem——"hehesitated。
　　"Goon，Mr。Severne；notallofthemwhat?"saidZoe，preparedtostandupforhersex。
　　"Notperfect?"
　　"Thatisaverycautiousstatement，and——there——youareasslipperyasaneel；thereisnogettingholdofyou。Well，nevermind，Iwillsetyouanexampleofcommunicativeness，andrevealthismysteryhiddenasyetfrommankind。"
　　"Speak，dreadqueen；thyservantheareth。"
　　"Ha!ha!ha!Mr。Severne，youamuse_me。"_
　　"Youonlyinterest_me，"_wasthesoftreply。
　　Zoeblushedpink，butturneditoff。"Thenwhydoyounotattendtomyinterestingnarrative，insteadof——Well，then，itbeganwithmyaskingthedearfellowtotakemeatour，especiallytoRome。"
　　"Youwantedtoseethestatuesofyourancestors，andshamethem。"
　　"Muchobliged；Iwasnotquitesuchagoose。IwantedtoseetheTiber，andtheColosseum，andTrajan'sPillar，andtheTarpeianRock，andtheoneeverlastingcitythatbindsancientandmodernhistorytogether。"
　　Sheflashedhergreateyesonhim，andhewasdumb。Shehadrisenabovetheregionofhisideas。Havingsilencedhercommentator，shereturnedtoherstory，"Well，dearHarringtonsaid'yes'directly。SothenItoldFanny，andshesaid，'Oh，dotakemewithyou?'Now，ofcourseIwasonlytoogladtohaveFanny；sheismyrelation，andmyfriend。"
　　"Happygirl!"
　　"Bequiet，please。SoIaskedHarringtontoletmehaveFannywithus，andyoushouldhaveseenhisface。What，hetravelwithacoupleofus!
　　He——Idon'tseewhyIshouldtellyouwhatthemonstersaid。"
　　"Oh，yes，pleasedo。"
　　"Youwon'tgotellinganybodyelse，then?"
　　"Notalivingsoul，uponmyhonor。"
　　"Well，then，"hesaid——shebegantoblushlikearose——"thathelookedonmeasamerefemaleinembryo；Ihadnotyetdevelopedthevicesofmysex。ButFannyDoverwasaripeflirt，andshewouldsetmeflirting，andhowcouldhemanagethepair?Inshort，sir，herefusedtotakeus，andgavehisreasons，suchastheywere，poordear!ThenIhadtotellFanny。
　　Thenshebegantocry，andtoldmetogowithouther。ButIwouldnotdothat，whenIhadonceaskedher。Thensheclungroundmyneck，andkissedme，andbeggedmetobecrossandsullen，andtireoutdearHarrington。"
　　"Thatislikeher。"
　　"Howdoyouknow?"saidZoesharply。
　　"Oh，Ihavestudiedhercharacter。"
　　"When，pray?"saidZoe，ironically，yetblushingalittle，becausehersecretmeaningwas，"Youarealwaysatmyapronstrings，andhavenotimetofathomFanny。"
　　"WhenIhavenothingbettertodo——whenyouareoutoftheroom。"
　　"Well，Ishallbeoutoftheroomverysoon，ifyousayanotherword。"
　　"Andservemeright，too。Iamafooltotalkwhenyouallowmetolisten。"
　　"Heisincorrigible!"saidZoe，pathetically。"Well，then，IrefusedtopoutatHarrington。Itisnotasifhehadnoreasontodistrustwomen，poordeardarling。IinvitedFannytostayamonthwithus；and，whenonceshewasinthehouse，shesoongotoverme，andpersuadedmetoplaysad，andshowedmehowtodoit。Soweworelongfaces，andsweetresignation，andwerenevercross，butkeptturningtearfuleyesuponourvictim。"
　　"Ha!ha!HowabsurdofVizardtotellyouthattwowomenwouldbetoomuchforoneman。"
　　"No，itwasthetruth；andgirlsareartfulcreatures，especiallywhentheyputtheirheadstogether。Butheartheendofallourcunning。Oneday，afterdinner，Harringtonaskedustositoppositehim；sowedid，andfeltguilty。Hesurveyedusinsilencealittlewhile，andthenhesaid，'Myyoungfriends，youhaveplayedyourlittlegameprettywell，especiallyyou，Zoe，thatareanoviceinthefineartscomparedwithMissDover。'Histrionictalentoughttoberewarded；hewouldrelent，andtakeusabroad，ononecondition:theremustbeachaperone。'Allthebetter，'saidwehypocrites，eagerly；'andwho?'"
　　"'Oh，apersonequaltotheoccasion——anoldmaidasbitteragainstmenasevergrapesweresour。Shewouldfollowusupstairs，downstairs，andintomylady'schamber。Shewouldhaveaneyeatthekey-holebyday，andanearbynight，whenwewentuptobedandtalkedovertheeventsofourfrivolousday。'Inshort，heenumeratedourduenna'sperfectionstillourbloodrancold；anditwaseversolongbeforehewouldtelluswhoitwas——AuntMaitland。Wescreamedwithsurprise。Theyarelikecatanddog，andneveragree，excepttodiffer。Wesoughtanexplanationofthisstrangechoice。Heobligedus。Itwasnotforhisgratificationhetooktheoldcat；itwasforus。Shewouldrelievehimofavastresponsibility。Thevicesofhercharacterwouldprovetoostrongforthelittlefaultsofours，whichwereonlyvolatility，frivolity，flirtation——Iwill_not_tellyouwhathesaid。"
　　"IseemtohearHarringtontalking，"saidSeverne。"Whatonearthmakeshimsoharduponwomen?Wouldyoumindtellingmethat?"
　　"Neveraskmethatquestionagain，"saidZoe，withsuddengravity。
　　"Well，Iwon't；I'llgetitoutofhim。"
　　"Ifyousayawordtohimaboutit，Ishallbeshockedandoffended。"
　　Shewaspaleandredbyturns；butSevernebowedhisheadwitharespectfulsubmissionthatdisarmedherdirectly。Sheturnedherheadaway，andSeverne，watchingher，sawhereyesfill。
　　"Howisit，"saidshethoughtfully，andlookingawayfromhim，"thatmenleaveouttheirsisterswhentheysumupwomankind?Arenotwewomentoo?
　　Mypoorbrotherquiteforgetshehasonewomanwhowillnever，neverdesertnordeceivehim；dear，darlingfellow!"andwiththesethreelastwordssheroseandkissedthetipsofherfingers，andwavedthekisstoVizardwiththatfreemagnitudeofgesturewhichbelongedtoantiquity:
　　itstrucktheAnglo-Saxonflirtatherfeetwithamazement。Nothavinggoodenoughunderhisskintosympathizewiththatpiousimpulse，hefirststagnatedalittlewhile；andthen，nottobesilentaltogether，madehislittle，stale，commonplacecommentonwhatshehadtoldhim。
　　"Why，itislikeanovel。"
　　"Averyunromanticone，"repliedZoe。
　　"Idon'tknowthat。Ihavereadveryinterestingnovelswithfewernewcharactersthanthis:there'sadarkbeauty，andafair，andaduennawithaneagleeyeandanaquilinenose。"
　　"Hush!"saidZoe:"thatisherroom；"andpointedtoachamberdoorthatopenedintotheapartment。
　　Oh，marvelousfemaleinstinct!Theduennainchargewasatthatmomentbehindthatverydoor，andhereyeandherearatthekey-hole，turnabout。
　　Severnecontinuedhisremarks，butinalowervoice。
　　"Thenthere'sawoman-haterandaman-hater:goodfordialogue。"
　　NowthisbanterdidnotpleaseZoe；soshefixedhereyesuponSeverne，andsaid，"Youforgettheprincipalfigure——amysteriousyounggentlemanwholooksnineteen，andistwenty-nine，andwaslostsightofinEnglandnineyearsago。Hehasbeentravelingeversince，andwhere-everhewentheflirted；wegathersomuchfromhisaccomplishmentintheart；fluent，nottosayvolubleattimes，butnoegotist，forhenevertellsyouanythingabouthimself，norevenabouthisfamily，stilllessaboutthenumerous_affairesdecoeur_inwhichhehasbeenengaged。Perhapsheisreservingitallforthethirdvolume。"
　　Theattackwasstrongandsudden，butitfailed。Severne，withinthelimitsofhisexperience，wasaconsummateartist，andthissituationwasnotnewtohim。Hecastonegentlyreproachfulglanceonher，thenloweredhiseyestothecarpet，andkeptthemthere。"Doyouthink，"saidhe，inalow，dejectedvoice，"itcanbeanypleasuretoamantorelatethefolliesofanidle，aimlesslife?andtoyou，whohavegivenmehigheraspirations，andmademeawfullysorry，Icannotlivemywholelifeoveragain。Ican'tbeartothinkoftheyearsIhavewasted，"saidhe；"andhowcanItalktoyou，whomIreverence，ofthepastfolliesI
　　despise?No，praydon'taskmetoriskyouresteem。Itissodeartome。"
　　Thenthisartistputinpracticealittlemaneuverhehadlearnedofcompressinghismusclesandforcingalittleunwillingwaterintohiseyes。So，attheendofhisprettylittlespeech，heraisedtwogentle，imploringeyes，withhalfatearineachofthem。Tobesure，Natureassistedhisartforonce；hedidbitterlyregret，butoutofpureegotism，theyearshehadwasted，andwishedwithallhishearthehadneverknownanywomanbutZoeVizard。
　　ThecombinationofartandsinceritywastoomuchfortheguilelessandinexperiencedZoe。Shewasgrievedatthepainshehadgiven，androsetoretire，forshefelttheywerebothondangerousground；but，assheturnedaway，shemadealittle，deprecatinggesture，andsaid，softly，"Forgiveme。"
　　ThatsofttonegaveSevernecourage，andthatgesturegavehimanopportunity。Heseizedherhand，murmured，"Angelofgoodness!"andbestowedalong，lovingkissonherhandthatmadeitquiverunderhislips。
　　"Oh!"criedMissMaitland，burstingintotheroomatthenickoftime，yetfeigningamazement。
　　Fannyheardtheejaculations，andwhippedawayfromHarringtonintothewindow。Zoe，withnomotivebutherowncoyness，hadalreadysnatchedherhandawayfromSeverne。
　　Butbothyoungladieswereonemomenttoolate。Theeagleeyeofaterribleoldmaidhadembracedtheentiresituation，andtheysawithad。
　　HarringtonVizard，Esq。，smokedon，withhisbacktothegroup。Buttherestwereapicture——themutinousfaceandkeeneyesofFannyDover，bristlingwithdefense，atthewindow；Zoeblushingcrimson，andnewlystartedawayfromhertoo-enterprisingwooer；andthetall，thin，grimoldmaid，standingstiff，assentinel，atthebedroomdoor，andgimletingbothherchargesalternatelywithsteel-grayorbs；sheseemedlikeanowl，alleyesandbeak。
　　Whenthechaperonhadfixedthesituationthoroughly，shestalkederectintotheroom，andsaid，veryexpressively，"IamafraidIdisturbyou。"
　　Zoe，fromcrimson，blushedscarlet，andhungherhead；butFannywasready。
　　"La!aunt，"saidshe，ironically，andwithpertnessinfinite，"youknowyouarealwayswelcome。Whereeverhaveyoubeenallthistime?Wewereafraidwehadlostyou。"
　　Auntfiredherpistolinreply:"Iwasnotfaroff——mostfortunately。"
　　Zoe，findingthat，evenundercrushingcircumstances，Fannyhadfightinher，glidedinstantlytoherside，andAuntMaitlandopenedbattleallround。
　　"MayIask，sir，"saidshetoSeverne，withahorriblesmile，"whatyouweredoingwhenIcamein?"
　　ZoeclutchedFanny，andbothawaitedMr。Severne'sreplyforonemomentwithkeenanxiety。
　　"MydearMissMaitland，"saidthatableyoungman，veryrespectfully，yetwithasortofcheerfulreadiness，asifheweredelightedatherdeigningtoquestionhim，"totellyouthetruth，IwasadmiringMissVizard'sdiamondring。"
　　Fannytittered；Zoeblushedagainatsuchafibandsuch_aplomb。_
　　"Oh，indeed，"saidMissMaitland；"youwereadmiringitveryclose，sir。"
　　"Itislikeherself——itwillbearinspection。"
　　ThiswaswormwoodtoMissMaitland。"Eveninourasheslivetheirwontedfires；"and，thoughshewassixty，shedislikedtohearayoungwomanpraised。Shebridled，thenreturnedtotheattack。
　　"Nexttimeyouwishtoinspectit，youhadbetteraskher_totakeitoff，_andshowyou。"
　　"MayI，MissMaitland?"inquiredtheingenuousyouth。"Shewouldnotthinkthataliberty?"
　　Hismildeffronterystaggeredherforamoment，andsheglaredathim，speechless，butsoonrecovered，andsaid，bitterly，"Evidently_not。"_
　　Withthissheturnedherbackonhimratherungraciously，andopenedfireonherownsex。
　　"Zoe!"sharply。
　　"Yes，aunt"faintly。
　　"Tellyourbrother——ifhecanleaveoffsmoking——Iwishtospeaktohim。"
　　Zoehungherhead，andwasinnohurrytobringabouttheproposedconference。
　　Whileshedeliberated，saysFanny，withvastalacrity，"I'lltellhim，aunt。"
　　"Oh，Fanny!"murmuredZoe，inareproachfulwhisper。
　　"Allright!"whisperedFannyinreply，andwhippedoutontothebalcony。
　　"Here'sAuntMaitlandwantstoknowifyoueverleaveoffsmoking；"andshethrewamostaggressivemannerintothequery。
　　Thebigmanreplied，composedly，"TellherIdo——atmealsandprayers；
　　butIalways_sleep_withapipeinmymouth——heavilyinsured!"
　　"Well，then，youmustn't；forshehassomethingveryparticulartosaytoyouwhenyou'vedonesmoking。"
　　"Somethingparticular!Thatmeanssomethingdisagreeable。TellherI
　　shallbesmokingalldayto-day。"
　　Fannydancedintotheroomandsaid，"Hesaysheshallbesmokingallday，_underthecircumstances。"_
　　MissMaitlandgavethisfaithfulmessengerthelookofabasilisk，andflouncedtoherownroom。Theyoungladiesinstantlysteppedoutonthebalcony，andgotoneoneachsideofHarrington，withthefeminineinstinctofpropitiation；fortheyfeltsuretheenemywouldtell，soonorlate。
　　"Whatdoestheoldcatwanttotalktomeabout?"saidHarrington，lazily，toFanny。
　　ItwasZoewhoreplied:
　　"Can'tyouguess，dear?"saidshe，tenderly——"ourmisconduct。"Thensheputherheadonhisshoulder，asmuchastosay，"Butwehaveamorelenientjudgehere。"
　　"AsifIcouldnotsee_that_withoutherassistance!"saidHarringtonVizard。Puff!AtwhichcomfortablereplyZoelookedveryrueful，andFannyburstoutlaughing。
　　SoonafterthisFannygaveZoealook，andtheyretiredtotheirrooms；
　　andZoesaidshewouldnevercomeoutagain，andFannymuststaywithher。Fannyfeltsure_ennui_wouldthawthatresolveinafewhours；soshesubmitted，butdeclareditwasabsurd，andtheverywaytogiveaperfecttrifleimportance。
　　"Kissyourhand!"saidshe，disdainfully——"thatisnothing。IfIwastheman，I'dhavekissedbothyourcheekslongbeforethis。"
　　"AndIshouldhaveboxedyourearsandmadeyoucry，"saidZoe，withcalmsuperiority。
　　Soshehadherway，andthedesertedSevernefeltdull，butwastoogoodageneraltoshowit。HebestowedhiswelcomecompanyonMr。Vizard，walkedwithhim，talkedwithhim，andmadehimselfsoagreeable，thatVizard，whoadmiredhimgreatly，saidtohim，"Whatagoodfellowyouare，tobestowyoursunshineonme。Ibegantobeafraidthosegirlshadgotyou，andtiedyoutotheirapron-stringsaltogether。"
　　"Oh，no!"saidSeverne:"theyarecharming；but，afterall，onecan'tdowithoutamalefriend:therearesofewthingsthatinterestladies。
　　Unlessyoucantalkred-hotreligion，youareboundtoflirtwiththemalittle。Tobesure，theylookshy，ifyoudo，butifyoudon't——"
　　"They_are_bored；whereastheyonly_looked_shy。Iknow'em。Callanothersubject，please。"
　　"Well，Iwill；butperhapsitmaynotbesoagreeableaone。"
　　"Thatisveryunlikely，"saidthewoman-hater，dryly。
　　"Well，itisTin。I'mrathershort。Yousee，whenIfellinwithyouatMonaco，Ihadnoideaofcomingthisway；but，meetingwithanoldcollegefriend——whatatiecollegeis，isn'tit?Thereisnothinglikeit；whenyouhavebeenatcollegewithaman，youseemnevertowearhimout，asyoudotheacquaintancesyoumakeafterward。"
　　"Thatisverytrue，"saidVizardwarmly。
　　"Isn'tit?Now，forinstance，ifIhadonlyknownyouoflateyears，I
　　shouldfeelawfullyshyofborrowingafewhundredsofyou——foramonthortwo。"
　　"Idon'tknowwhyyoushould，oldfellow。"
　　"Ishould，though。Buthavingbeenatcollegetogethermakesallthedifference。Idon'tmindtellingyouthatIhaveneverbeenatHomburgwithouttakingaturnatthetable，andIamgrizzlingawfullynowatnothavingsenttomymanofbusinessforfunds。"
　　"Howmuchdoyouwant?Thatistheonlyquestion。"
　　"Gladtohearit，"thoughtSeverne。"Well，letmesee，youcan'tbackyourluckwithlessthanfivehundred。"
　　"Well，butwehavebeenouttwomonths；IamafraidIhaven'tsomuchleft。Justletmesee。"Hetookouthispocket-book，andexaminedhisletterofcredit。"Doyouwantitto-day?"
　　"Why，yes；Ido。"
　　"Well，then，Iamafraidyoucanonlyhavethreehundred。ButIwilltelegraphHerries，andfundswillbehereto-morrowafternoon。"
　　"Allright，"saidSeverne。
　　Vizardtookhimtothebank，andexhaustedhisletterofcredit:thentothetelegraph-office，andtelegraphedHerriestoenlargehiscreditatonce。HehandedSevernethethreehundredpounds。Theyoungman'seyeflashed，anditcosthimaneffortnottosnatchthemandwavethemoverhisheadwithjoy:buthecontrolledhimself，andtookthemliketwo-pence-halfpenny。"Thankyou，oldfellow，"saidhe。Then，stillmorecarelessly，"LikemyIOU?"
　　"Asyouplease，"saidVizard，withsimilarindifference；onlyreal。
　　Afterhehadgotthemoney，Severne'sconversationalpowersrelaxed——shortanswers——longreveries。
　　Vizardobserved，stoppedshort，andeyedhim。"IremembersomethingatOxford，andIamafraidyouareagambler；ifyouare，youwon'tbegoodformuchtillyouhavelostthatthreehundred。Itwillbeadulleveningformewithoutyou:IknowwhatI'lldo——I'lltakemyhen-partytotheoperaatHomburg。Therearestallstobegothere。I'llgetoneforyou，onthechanceofyourdroppingin。"
　　Thestallswerepurchased，andthefriendsreturnedatoncetothehotel，togivetheladiestimelyintimation。TheyfoundFannyandZoeseated，ratherdisconsolate，intheapartmentZoehadformallyrenounced:atsightofthestalltickets，thepairutteredjoyfulcries，lookedateachother，andvanished。
　　"Youwon'tsee_them_anymoretilldinner-time，"saidVizard。"Theywillbediscussingdress，selectingdress，tryingdresses，andchangingdresses，forthenextthreehours。"Heturnedroundwhilespeaking，andtherewasSeverneslippingawaytohisownbedroom。
　　Thusdesertedonallsides，hesteppedintothebalconyandlightedacigar。Whilehewassmokingit，heobservedanEnglishgentleman，withastalwartfigureandabeautifulbrownbeard，standingonthestepsofthehotel。"Halloo!"saidhe，andhailedhim。"Hi，Uxmoor!isthatyou?"
　　LordUxmoorlookedup，andknewhim。Heenteredthehotel，andthenextminutethewaiterusheredhimintoVizard'ssitting-room。
　　LordUxmoor，likeMr。Vizard，wasalandedproprietorinBarfordshire。
　　Thecountyislarge，andtheylivedtoomanymilesaparttovisit；buttheymet，andagreed，atelectionsandcountybusiness，andhadarespectforeachother。
　　MeetingatFrankfort，thesetwofoundplentytosaytoeachotherabouthome；andasLordUxmoorwasalone，Vizardaskedhimtodine。"Youwillbalanceus，"saidhe:"weareterriblyoverpetticoated，andoneofthemisanoldmaid。Wegenerallydineatthe_table-d'hote，_butIhaveordereddinner_here_to-day:wearegoingtotheoperaatHomburg。Youarenotobligedtodothat，youknow。Youareinforabaddinner，thatisall。"
　　"Totellthetruth，"saidLordUxmoor，"Idon'tcareformusic。"
　　"Thenyoudeserveastatuefornotpretendingtoloveit。Iadoreit，formypart，andIwishIwasgoingalone，formyhenswillbesuretocackle_mal'apropos，_andspoilsomefamousmelodywithtalkingaboutit，andwhosungitinLondon，insteadoflisteningtoit，andthankingGodforitindeepsilence。"
　　LordUxmoorstaredalittleatthissuddensally，forhewasunacquaintedwithVizard'soneeccentricity，havingmethimonlyoncountybusiness，atwhichhewasextrarational，andpassedforagreatscholar。Hereallydidsuckgoodbooksaswellascigars。
　　Afterafewmorewords，theypartedtilldinner-time。
　　LordUxmoorcametohisappointment，andfoundhishostandMissMaitland，whomheknew；andhewasinlanguidconversationwiththem，whenaside-dooropened，andinwalkedFannyDover，fairandbright，inCambridgeblue，herhairwelldressedbyZoe'smaidinthestyleoftheday。LordUxmoorrose，andreceivedhisfaircountry-womanwithrespectfulzeal；hehadmetheroncebefore。She，too，sparkledwithpleasureatmeetingaBarfordshiresquirewithalongpedigree，purse，andbeard——threethingssheadmiredgreatly。
　　Inthemidstofthis，inglidedZoe，andseemedtoextinguisheverybody，andeventopalethelights，withherdarkyetsunlikebeauty。Shewasdressedinacreamy-whitesatinthatglintedlikemother-of-pearl，itssheenandgloryunfritteredwithasingleidiotictrimming；onherbreastalargediamondcross。HerheadwasanAtheniansculpture——nochignon，butthetightcoilsofantiquity；attheirside，onediamondstarsparkledvividflame，byitscontrastwiththosepolishedebonsnakes。
　　LordUxmoorwasdazzled，transfixed，atthevision，andbowedverylowwhenVizardintroducedhiminanoff-handway，saying，"Mysister，MissVizard；butIdaresayyouhavemetheratthecountyballs。"
　　"Ihaveneverbeensofortunate，"saidUxmoor，humbly。
　　"Ihave，"saidZoe；"thatis，IsawyouwaltzingwithLadyBettyGoreattheraceballtwoyearsago。"
　　"What!"saidVizard，alarmed。"Uxmoor，wereyouwaltzingwithLadyBettyGore?"
　　"Youhaveitontoohighanauthorityformetocontradict。"
　　FindingZoewastobetrustedasacountychronicle，Vizardturnedsharplytoher，andsaid，"Andwasheflirtingwithher?"
　　Zoecoloredalittle，andsaid，"Now，Harrington，howcanItell?"
　　"Youlittlehypocrite，"saidVizard，"whocantellbetter?
　　AtthisretortZoeblushedhigh，andthewatercameintohereyes。
　　NobodymindedthatbutUxmoor，andVizardwentontoexplain，"ThatLadyBettyGoreisasheartlessacoquetteasanyinthecounty；anddon'tyouflirtwithher，oryouwillgetentangled。"
　　"Youdisapproveher，"saidUxmoor，coolly；"thenIgiveherupforever。"
　　HelookedatZoewhilehesaidthis，andfelthoweasyitwouldbetoresignLadyBettyandagreatmanymoreforthispeerlesscreature。Hedidnotmeanhertounderstandwhatwaspassinginhismind；hedidnotknowhowsubtleandobservantthemostinnocentgirlisinsuchmatters。
　　Zoeblushed，anddrewawayfromhim。JustthenNedSevernecamein，andVizardintroducedhimtoUxmoorwithgreatgenialityandpride。Thecharmingyoungmanwasinablacksurtout，withabluescarf，theverytintforhiscomplexion。
　　Thegirlslookedatoneanother，andinamomentFannywaselectedZoe'sagent。ShesignaledSeverne，andwhenhecametohershesaid，forZoe，"Don'tyouknowwearegoingtotheoperaatHomburg?"
　　"Yes，Iknow，"saidhe，"andIhopeyouwillhaveapleasantereveningthanIshall。"
　　"Youarenotcomingwithus?"
　　"No，"saidhe，sorrowfully。
　　"Youhadbetter，"saidFanny，withadealofquietpoint，more，indeed，thanZoe'sprideapproved。
　　"NotifMr。Severnehassomethingmoreattractive，"saidshe，turningpalishandpinkishbyturns。
　　Allthiswenton_sottovoce，_andUxmoor，outofgood-breeding，enteredintoconversationwithMissMaitlandandVizard。Severneavailedhimselfofthisdiversion，andfixedhiseyesonZoewithanairofgentlereproach，thentookaletteroutofhispocket，andhandedittoFanny。
　　Shereadit，andgaveittoZoe。
　　Itwasdatedfrom"TheGoldenStar，"Homburg。
　　"DEARNED——Iamworseto-day，andallalone。NowandthenIalmostfearI
　　maynotpullthrough。Butperhapsthatisthroughbeingsohipped。Docomeandspendthiseveningwithmelikeagood，kindfellow。
　　"Telegraphreply。