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A roar of laughter greeted the recital of this brilliant incident in a commercial career. As it subsided, I entered. There were two men in the room, besides Miss Montague and her mother, and a second young lady.

'Excuse this late call,' I said, quietly, bowing. 'But I have only one night in Scarborough, Miss Montague, and I wanted to see you. I'm a friend of Mr. Holsworthy's. I told him I'd look you up, and this is my sole opportunity.'

I felt rather than saw that Miss Montague darted a quick glance of hidden meaning at her friends the chappies; their faces, in response, ceased to snigger and grew instantly sober.

She took my card; then, in her alternative manner as the perfect lady, she presented me to her mother. 'Dr. Cumberledge, mamma,' she said, in a faintly warning voice. 'A friend of Mr. Holsworthy's.'

The old lady half rose. 'Let me see,' she said, staring at me.

'Which is Mr. Holsworthy, Siss?—is it Cecil or Reggie?'

One of the chappies burst into a fatuous laugh once more at this remark. 'Now, you're giving away the whole show, Mrs. Montague!' he exclaimed, with a chuckle. A look from Miss Sissie immediately checked him.

I am bound to admit, however, that after these untoward incidents of the first minute, Miss Montague and her friends behaved throughout with distinguished propriety. Her manners were perfect— I may even say demure. She asked about 'Cecil' with charming naïvete. She was frank and girlish. Lots of innocent fun in her, no doubt—she sang us a comic song in excellent taste, which is a severe test—but not a suspicion of double-dealing. If I had not overheard those few words as I came up the stairs, I think I should have gone away believing the poor girl an injured child of nature.