Lisbeth sighed and turned towards me, but as she did so I felt a tug at my coat, and, looking round, beheld the Imp. 

 "Uncle Dick," he said, his eyes studiously averted, doubtless on account of the position of my arm, "here's Mr. Selwyn!" 

 With a sudden exclamation Lisbeth started from me and gathered up her skirts to run. 

 "Whereaway, my Imp?" 

 "Coming across the lawn." 

 "Reginald," I said, solemnly, "listen to me; you must sally out upon him with lance in rest, tell him you are a Knight-errant, wishful to uphold the glory of that faire ladye, your Auntie Lisbeth, and whatever happens you must manage to keep him away from here, do you understand?" 

 "Yes, only I do wish I'd brought my trusty sword, you know," he sighed. 

 "Never mind that now, Imp." 

 "Will Auntie Lisbeth be quite—" 

 "She will be all right." 

 "I suppose if you put your arm—" 

 "Never mind my arm, Imp, go!" 

 "Then fare thee well!" said he, and with a melodramatic flourish of his lance, trotted off. 

 "What did he mean about your arm, Dick?" 

 "Probably this!" I answered, slipping it around her again. 

 "But you must get away at once," whispered Lisbeth; "if Mr. Selwyn should see you—" 

 "I intend that he shall. Oh, it will be quite simple; while he is talking to me you can get back to the—" 

 "Hush!" she whispered, laying her fingers on my lips; "listen!" 

 "Hallo, Mr. Selwyn!" came in the Imp's familiar tones. 

 "Why, good Heavens!" exclaimed another voice, much too near to be pleasant, "what on earth are you doing here—and at this time of night?" 

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