"How can you tell that Tomlinson? What sort of figure is she?"

"As pretty as can be."

"As pretty as can be, is she? Go and ask her name."

The man obeyed.

The stranger, disconcerted, answered, "My name will not be known to Miss Joddrel, but if she will have the goodness to receive, I am sure she will recollect me."

Elinor, who was listening, knew her voice, and, calling Tomlinson up stairs, and heartily laughing, said, "You are the greatest fool in the whole world, Tomlinson! It is she! Bid her come to me directly."

Tomlinson did as he was ordered, but grinned, with no small satisfaction, at sight of the surprise with which, when they reached the landing-place, his young mistress looked at the stranger.

"Why, Tomlinson," she cried, "who have you brought me hither?"

Tomlinson smirked, and the Incognita