she surprises people. So does her papa. I believe they think I should not discover it else. And I don't know but they are in the right, for I am a very indifferent judge. But I can't make out, with that gentle air of yours, and so pretty a face, how you can have made those ladies take such a dislike to you?"

"A dislike, Sir?"

"Yes; Lady Arramede talks of you with prodigious contempt, and—"

Ellis colouring at this word, hung back, evidently declining to hear another; but Mr. Giles, not remarking this, went on. "And Miss Brinville can't endure you, neither. It's a curious thing to see what an angry look comes over her features, when she talks of you. Do you know the reason?"

"I flatter myself it is not to be known, Sir! Certainly I am innocent of any design of offending her."

"Why then perhaps she does not know what she has taken amiss, herself, poor lady! She's only affronted, and