126 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



dainty feet his hand and heart, and was much chagrined when 

 informed by her that she had absokitely no use for either of 

 them. However, Jack consoled himself by the thought that 

 there were plenty of women wanting husbands, and also with 

 the time-worn aphorism that there are ' as good fish in the 

 sea as ever came out of it.' In short, that ' the time will 

 come,' as the transpontine drama villain of our young days 

 used to exclaim. 



The Duke had just got over the arduous task of conducting 

 the Honourable Mrs. Joggletilt through the intricacies of the 

 Lancers, and returned her to her place. His next dance 

 engagement was with Adela Comely, and he went up and 

 claimed her as soon as he could do so without impropriety. 



" Shall we sit out, my dear Miss Comely ? My last partner 

 was a leetle " 



" Exhausting," suggested Adela slyly, as she took the 

 Duke's proffered arm, and they walked slowly away towards a 

 convenient corner. 



" A trifle so. Perhaps it was my own dancing that was 

 at fault." 



" Oh, my dear Duke, how can you say so '? But I see you 

 are only fishing for compliments. If so, you are fishing in 

 shallow waters," she laughed. 



"Shallow waters!" exclaimed the Duke in mock tragic 

 tones. " How can the word ' shallow' ever be associated with 

 the beauteous Miss Comely '? " 



"Well, you don't mean to suggest that I am deep, I hope." 

 And although Adela smiled her lightest smile, there was just 

 a tinge of alarm about her voice as she spoke the words. 



" My dear Miss Comely, you know Well, my dear boy, 



