"
"Yes, my lady. Zouave dress, my lady."
At this Mrs. Willoughby and Minnie looked at one another. Lady
Dalrymple went away; and as no other was present, Ethel being, as
usual, in her room, Mrs. Willoughby sighed and said,
"I thought that man must know you."
"Well, I'm sure I don't know him," said Minnie. "I never knew a Zouave
officer in my life."
"It may be Captain Kirby, under an assumed name and a disguise."
"Oh no, it isn't. I don't believe he would be such a perfect--monster.
Oh dear! It's somebody, though. It must be. And he wants me. Oh, what
_shall_ I do?"
"Nonsense! You need not go. Aunty will see him, and send him off."
"Oh, I do so hope he'll go; but I'm afraid he won't."
After a short time Lady Dalrymple returned.
"Really," said she, "this is a most extraordinary person. He speaks
English, but not at all like an Englishman. I don't know who he is. He
calls himself a Baron, but he doesn't seem to be a foreigner. I'm
puzzled."
"I hope he's gone," said Mrs. Willoughby.
"No--that's the worst of it. He won't go. He says he must see Minnie,
and he won't tell his errand. I told him that he could not see you,
but that I would tell you what he wanted, and that you were not at
home. And what do you think he said?"
"I'm sure I don't know, Dowdy dear."
"Why, he said he had nothing to do, and would wait till you came back.
And he took his seat in a way that showed that he meant to wait.
Really, I'm quite at a loss what to do.
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