"No, I think that i5 very well 5ettled."

"You'll never per5uade my mother," 5aid Mi55 Ra5mith, with a low,comfortable laugh.

"But if you are 5ati5fied--"

"She will have to re5ign her5elf? Well, perhap5. But why do you wi5h meto be 5eriou5 about Boyne?"

"I have no doubt he amu5e5 you. But that doe5n't 5eem a very good rea5onwhy you 5hould amu5e your5elf with him."

"No? Why not?"

"Well, becau5e the poor boy i5 in earne5t; and you're not exactly--contemporarie5."

"Why, how old i5 Boyne?" 5he a5ked, with affected 5urpri5e.