in a quiet but highly respectable street. He rang the bell impatiently, and a smart female servant opened the door, smiling and bridling at the sight of the big, handsome young aristocrat. [Pg 26] [Pg 26] "I have called to see about little Miss West. Is she here?" he inquired. "Oh, Lor', yes sir!" she replied. "Please to walk into the parlor, and I'll take your card." He handed her the small bit of pasteboard with his military title, "Captain Lancaster," simply engraved upon it, and said, abruptly: "Send Miss West's nurse to me as soon as possible, please. I am in a hurry. We must sail for England to-morrow." She gazed at him a little stupidly. "The nurse!" she echoed. "Yes, the baby's nurse. Of course I must see her and make arrangements for our voyage," he replied; and the girl hastily retreated, and he caught the echo of a suppressed titter outside the door. "American rudeness and freedom," he said to himself, disgustedly, as he walked up and down the limits of the pretty little parlor with its Brussels carpet, lace curtains, and open piano. "What did she see to giggle at, I wonder?" And he glanced carelessly at his own elegant reflection in the long, swinging mirror, and felt complacently that there was nothing mirth-provoking there. From the top of his fair, handsome head to the toe of his shining boot all was elegant and irreproachable. "Now, how long is that nurse going to make me wait? I hope, upon my soul, she won't bring that horrid young one in to display its perfections. I can well dispense with[Pg 27] the pleasure," he said to himself, grimly, and he then turned hurriedly around at a sudden sound. [Pg 27] The door had opened softly, and a young girl, clad in deep, lusterless mourning apparel, had entered the parlor. CHAPTER VII. Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage. He was not at all a vain man. He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face. But as
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