The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-10

jcct of a dawning first passion, struck
Him hard lie resolved to keep out
OF her way and considered how lie
could have his meals elsewhere, or take
to his bed for the remainder of the
voyage. The projected luncheon at
Beauinanoir should be carried out, and
that done. he would have acquitted ]
himself, en- gallant hom1ne, OF all that
could be reasonably expected Of II
travelling Briton toward visiting Amcri-
cans who had contributed to cheer his
voyage across the Atlantic.
TO begin with the now order of
things, he let himself be absorbed In
conversation by Miss Blocker, his pet
aversion, who leaning over the table.
her ample bosom begarlarded with
chains and cords, each one sustaining
some necessary implement for the aid
of vision, far or near. and oil of them
crtangled. was in her best spirits. She,
Lady Channel Fleet. and Mrs. ,Vereker,
had been in their deck chairs since
both and biscuits to tho present mo-
mont, discussing the American women
who had married into the British no.
b.iity. The three ancient heads cowled
in wells and furry hoods-for thu. air
off the Banks had had in 1t n tang
Of ice--nad bobbed together during this
time with q vivacity oil movement sug-
Eesting the cinematograph.
Mrs. Vcreker's sciatic leg, which 1t
was the mission OF her good-looking
footman to keep enwrapped with rugs,
when he could forego flirting with the
ladies' maids, had been frequently ex-
posed to the biting wind, and yet she
did not notice 1t. Lady Channel Fleet,
who, with her husband and q maid, had
been doing America economically In
somebody's private car. at somebody's
I. expense, wisely kept quiet; since, II
she shivercd. there was no James so
wrap her up. Miss Blcecker. more see
~, ..1.1t. 4.
sition betwcena British matron of title
and one Of New Y ork's leaders, did not
feel the cold. Except in q parterre box
ut the opera with the best people), she
had no greater idea OF happiness than
such surroundings: with long, I'M
interrupted morning In which to re-
hash old stories and acquire new ones
concerning the ladies under discussion,
whom she secretly considered the elect
OF earth.
Lady Channel Fleet. conscious Of hay-
ing laid moro honors paid to her in
America than In the whole course Of her
undistinguished life at home, was pro-
portionately inclined to be critical of
Americans, now she had come away.
Her structures upon their extrayagance
in living which she had enjoyed to
tho top OF her bent, the largeness Of
their houses and the smallness Of their
grounds, their ridiculous way OF rum
ming after strangers, and the extraor-
binary interchange of matrimonial
partners among people one knew and
visited, were interspersed with various
bits Of gossip she had been able to
pickup in England concerning Ameri-
can pecrcsscs who had not.Ereceived
her at their houses and were. indeed
> unconscious of her existence.
It had been rather a bitter pill for
s Mrs. Vereker, who was hand in glove
with all these fine people both in Eng
In nm NnN nr ftr, h0v IN = I Sto
politely to Lady Channel Fleet. But,
then, Mrs. Verelxer had already stood
SO much in the line of4incvility from
the British danes of high place upon
whom she had lavished courtesy during
n their sojourn In the land of the free,
that she was little hardened. She
knew that on arrival out she would go
fl ON Clarldge's to stop at country
houses where Lady Channel Fleets star.
would never even family rise. She was
secure In being able to buy herself q
good. time and the best Of everything
wherever she might go, and felt on
tho whole, content Miss Blocker, on
the cpltrary, who had no such solid
foundations as her friend, felt nils
tening to Lady Channel Fleet as acute
~, panied as. If she were reading one
Of Mr.. Benson's or Mr. Hichens's novels,
wherein modern Americans of good so.
ciety arc madeslto say Pepper and
"real nice" She could hardly imagine
how her nation could arise to ignoring
these dreadful accusations
But when Lady Channel Fleet had In
cidcntally let fell that she always pre-
sumed Miss Blocker, from her speech
and manner, to be an Englishwoman
bern. Miss Blocker had forgiven all.
She redoubled her power Of entertain
irgness, brought out few newer.
racier anecdotes of persons known to
all Of them, and the luncheon bugle
had Caught the gossips unawnres, maxi
ing them feel the morning quite too
short.
IT suppose we shall see you at Mr..
Nereker's little supper this evening,
Lord sClandonald?" said the chaperon,.
sunyely. "One knows what to expect
in the way Of private dainties when