Brownlow that her house held an irresistible
attraction to the young officer, and she wondered over her duty to
the parents who had trusted her. Acting on impulse at last, she took
council with John, securing him as her companion in the gaslit walk
from a concert.
"Do you see what is going on there?" she asked, indicating the pair
before them.
"What do you mean? Oh, I never thought of that!"
"I don't think! I have seen. Ever since the night of the Phantom
Blackcock of Kilnaught. He did his work on Essie."
"Essie rather thinks he is after the Infanta."
"It looks like it! What could have put it into her head? It did
not originate there!"
"Something my mother said about Babie being a viscountess."
"You know better, Friar!"
"I thought so; but I only told her it was no such thing, and I
believe the child thought I meant to rebuke her for mentioning such
frivolities, for she turned scarlet and held her peace."
"Perhaps the delusion has kept her unconscious, and made her the
sweeter. But the question is, whether this ought to go on without
letting your people know?"
"I suppose they would have no objection?" said John. "There's no
harm in Evelyn, and he shows his sense by running after Jock. He
hasn't got the family health either.
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