"Now, who is it ?" "If it was only that nice young man, Lord Leighton!" said Mrs van Huysman, in a voice that sounded like an appeal against the final judgment of human fate, "but, of course, he's----" "No, Mammy, that's just what he's _not_ going to do," exclaimed Brenda, sitting up and clasping her hands behind her neck.

"Nitocris Marmion is in love with some one else, and Lord Leighton is in love with me--at least he said so last night at 'The Wilderness,' and I don't suppose he'd have said it if he hadn't meant it--and I told him to go and ask his Papa: and now I'm going to ask my Poppa and Mammy if I may be Lady Leighton soon, and, perhaps, some day Countess of Kyneston.

You see, Lord Leighton is just a viscount now----" "What, just a viscount!" exclaimed Mrs van Huysman, getting up from her chair and putting a plump arm round her neck.

"Just a viscount--and heir to one of the oldest peerages in England! Oh, Brenda, is it really true ?" "I guess Brenda wouldn't say it if it wasn't, and that's about all there is to it," said her father, putting his long arm out over the table.

"I congratulate you, my girl.