Englishman who was there was so charmed by the act that, finding the young man was poor and an orphan, he adopted him. Mr. Talbot was old, and lonely, and rich, and when he died, a year after, he left his name and fortune to this Paolo." 

 "I'm glad, I'm glad!" cried Lillian, clapping her hands with a joyful face. "How romantic and charming it is!" 

 "Isn't it? But, my dear creature, the most romantic part is to come. Young Talbot served in the war, and then came to England to take possession of his property. It's somewhere down in Kent, a fine place and good income, all his; and he deserves it. Mamma heard a deal about him from Mrs. Langdon, who knew old Talbot and has seen the young man. Of course all the girls are wild to behold him, for he is very handsome and accomplished, and a gentleman by birth. But the dreadful part is that he is already betrothed to a lovely Greek girl, who came over at the same time, and is living in London with a companion; quite elegantly, Mrs. Langdon says, for she called and was charmed. This girl has been seen by some of our gentlemen friends, and they already rave about the 'fair Helene,' for that's her name." 

 Here Maud was forced to stop for breath, and Lillian had a chance to question her. 

 "How old is she?" 

 "About eighteen or nineteen, they say." 

 "Very pretty?" 

 "Ravishing, regularly Greek and divine, Fred Raleigh says." 

 "When is she to be married?" 

 "Don't know; when Talbot gets settled, I fancy." 

 "And he? Is he as charming as she?" 

 "Quite, I'm told. He's just of age, and is, in appearance as in everything else, a hero of romance." 

 "How came your mother to secure him for tonight?" 

 "Mrs. Langdon is dying to make a lion of him, and begged to bring him. He is very indifferent on such things and seems intent on his own affairs. Is grave and old for his years, and doesn't seem to care much for pleasure and admiration, as most men would after a 

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