124 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. " I don't know but what she'd be too fine for me. "What do you call the place she lives in Bedfordshire 1 " " She lives away in the northern corner of it. It's a tiresome country, but I daresay you won't mind it. I'll try and run down while you are there." All this was very pleasant to Miss Stackpole, and she was sorry to be obliged to separate from Lady Pensil's obliging brother. But it happened that she had met the day before, in Piccadilly, some friends whom she had not seen for a year ; the Miss Climbers, two ladies from Wilmington. Delaware, who had been travelling on the continent and were now preparing to re-embark. Henrietta had a long interview with them on the Piccadilly pavement, and though the three ladies all talked at once, they had not exhausted their accumulated topics. t It had been agreed therefore that Henrietta should come and dine with them in their lodgings in Jermyn Street at six o'clock on the morrow, and she now bethought herself of this engagement. She prepared to start for Jermyn Street, taking leave first of Ralph Touchett and Isabel, who, seated on garden chairs in another part of the inclosure, were occupied if the term may be used with an exchange of amenities less pointed than the practical colloquy of Miss Stackpole and Mr. Bantling. When it had been settled between Isabel and her friend that they should be re-united at some reputable hour at Pratt's Hotel, Ralph remarked that the latter must have a cab. She could not walk all the way to Jermyn Street. " I suppose you mean it's improper for me to walk alone ! " Henrietta exclaimed. " Merciful powers, have I come to this 1 " " There is not the slightest need of your walking alone," said Mr. Bantling, in an off-hand tone expressive of gallantry. " I should be greatly pleased to go with you." " I simply meant that you would be late for dinner," Ralph answered. " Think of those poor ladies, in their impatience, waiting for you." " You had better have a hansom, Henrietta," said Isabel. "I will get you a hansom, if you will trust to me," Mr. Bantling went on. " We might walk a little till we met one." " I don't see why I shouldn't trust to him, do you? " Henrietta .Inquired of Isabel. " I don't see what Mr. Bantling could do to you," Isabel answered, smiling ; " but if you like, we will walk with you till you find your cab." "Never mind; we will go alone. Come on, Mr. Bantling, and take care you get me a good one."
