"I esteem Miss Leicester very highly," returned Everard, coldly.

 

"Take care, old fellow, for she is, without exception, the greatest coquette I ever came across. She always had crowds of admirers, many of whom she contrived to draw on until they came to 'the point,' and then laughed at them. By Jove she will make a fool of you, Everard, if you don't mind."

 

"I assure you, Louis, that you are quite mistaken. Miss Leicester is quite a different person to what you imagine."

 

"Ha! ha! so you may think, but I knew her intimately, and I must say that I was surprised that your mother should trust her young daughters to her care."

 

"Be quiet, Louis; I think her as near perfection as possible."

 

"Well, they say that love is blind--stone blind, in this case, I should say. She must have played her game well, to deceive you so thoroughly."

 

"I am not deceived, neither has she played any game," returned Everard, with warmth. "She gives me no encouragement whatever--very far from it."

 

"Oh, that is her new dodge, is it? Beware of her; she is a most accomplished actress."

 

"You are mistaken," replied Everard, indignantly, "you know some one else of the same name."

 

"Not a bit of it, my dear fellow; I saw the young minx at Elm Grove, and knew her directly. 'Beautiful, but dangerous.' I know her we............