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nurse, school-nurse, and own maid, to be but the attendant of a plain gentlewoman at last.

MISS FRANKLAND (laughing).

For thy sake, then, I had better look out for a peer. However, since it must be, desire Sir John Crofton to come up stairs.
[Exit Barbara.
It is an unpleasant moment, and I shrink from it, but the sooner it is over the better. Ay, and to settle the matter with a good grace for him, and without mortification to myself, it must be done quickly.

Enter Sir John Crofton.

SIR JOHN.

I thank you. Miss Frankland, for this condescension: five minutes of your company is precious when one cannot obtain more. But are you, indeed, obliged to go out?

MISS FRANKLAND.

I really have business which obliges me to go.

SIR JOHN.

And I have business (pardon me for calling it by that name) which requires you to stay. Will you honour me so far? (Setting chairs and sitting down by her.) Miss Frankland, there are situations which must plead a man's excuse