"Oh, all right," he had said. "I shall be very glad to see him--though
he's an obstinate young mule. I think you'll like him."

"I do like him very much indeed," she had said. "He is so handsome--how
very like he is to you!--and he's not a bit stand-offish and superior,
like most Englishmen."

"Oh, Drake's not a bad sort of fellow," said Lord Angleford, "but he's
too fond of having his own way."

At this Lady Angleford had smiled; for she knew another member of the
family who liked his own way.

She was waiting for Drake in the drawing-room, and gave him both her
hands with a little impulsiveness which touched Drake.

"I am so glad you have come," she said; "and your uncle is very glad,
too. You won't--get to arguing, will you? You English are such dreadful
people to argue. And I think he has a slight attack of the gout, though
he was quite angry when I hinted at it this morning."

Drake sincerely hoped his uncle hadn't, for everybody's sake. At that
moment the earl came into the room, held out his hand, and said, as if
he had parted with Drake only the night before: "How are you, Drake? Glad to see you. You've met Lady Angleford already?
Isn't it nearly dinner time?"