The cuttle ink had proved an excellent medium, and the tattooing was as fresh as the day on which it had been done, and would, no doubt, remain so till the last hour of her life.
"Well," said Lady Holmhurst, "I hope the young man will be duly grateful.
I should have to be very much in love," and she looked meaningly at Augusta, "before I would spoil myself in that fashion for any man." Augusta blushed at the insinuation, and said nothing.

At ten o'clock, just as they were half through breakfast, there came a ring at the bell.
"Here he is," said Lady Holmhurst, clapping her hands.

"Well, if this isn't the very funniest thing that I ever heard of! I told Jones to show him in here." Hardly were the words out of her mouth when the butler, who looked as solemn as a mute in his deep mourning, opened the door and announced "Mr.
Eustace Meeson," in those deep and commanding tones which flunkeys, and flunkeys alone, have at their command.

There was a moment's pause.
Augusta half rose from her chair, and then sat down again; and, noticing her embarrassment, Lady Holmhurst smiled maliciously.

Then came in Eustace himself, looking rather handsome, exceedingly nervous, and beautifully got up--in a frock-coat, with a flower in it.
"Oh! how do you do ?" he said to Augusta, holding out his hand, which she took rather coldly.
"How do you do, Mr.Meeson," she answered.