"Lady Janet's nephew is a celebrated man." He paused, and stooping nearer to her, lifted a love-lock that lay over her shoulder and pressed it to his lips.

"Lady Janet's nephew," he resumed, "is Julian Gray." She started off her seat, and looked round at him in blank, bewildered terror, as if she doubted the evidence of her own senses.
Horace was completely taken by surprise.

"My dear Grace!" he exclaimed; "what have I said or done to startle you this time ?" She held up her hand for silence.

"Lady Janet's nephew is Julian Gray," she repeated; "and I only know it now!" Horace's perplexity increased.

"My darling, now you do know it, what is there to alarm you ?" he asked.
(There was enough to alarm the boldest woman living--in such a position, and with such a temperament as hers.