to see you, it happens so seldom."

"Yes; except in a crowd. One has never any time. Have you heard, by
the way, that my husband is one of the new Associates?"

She went on quickly, preventing Mary's murmured congratulations:

"Yes, they have elected him. I suppose it is a very good thing. He
has his hands full of portraits now."

Then she remarked inconsequently--the rapidity with which she passed
from topic to topic half surprised Mary, who did not remember the
trait of old:

"We are going to the theatre to-night--that is to say, if my husband
has been able to get seats. It's the first night of a new comedy. I
meant to ask you to come with us, only it was an uncertainty. If the
box is not forthcoming, you must come when we do go. Only, of
course, it will not be the _premiere_."

"I should like to," said Mary vaguely. "I don't care so much about
first nights. I like the theatre; but I go so seldom. Aunt Marcelle
does not care for English plays; she says they are like stale
bread-and-butter. I tell her that is not so bad."

"The _mot_, you mean?"

"Partly; but also the thing. Bread-and-butter is a change after a
great many _petits fours_."

Mrs. Lightmark smiled a little absently as she sat smoothing the
creases out of her pretty, fawn-coloured gloves.

"Oh, the _petits fours_," she said, "for choice. One can take more of
them, and amuse one's self longer."

They heard a carriage draw up suddenly in the street below, and Eve,
who had been glancing from time to time expectantly at the window,
went over and looked out. She recognised her liveries and the two
handsome bays.

"Perhaps I had better not let him come up," she said; "it is late
already, and you will be wanting to dress."

Lightmark had just alighted from the carriage when his wife joined
him in the street. He held the door for her silently, and stopped
for a moment to give the direction, "Home," to the coachman before
he took the place at her side.

She turned to him after a while inquiringly, finding something of
unwonted gravity in his manner.

"Did you get the box?" she asked.

"The box?" he repeated blankly. Then, pulling himself up, "No," he
said quickly, "I forgot all about it. The fact is, I heard something
this afternoon which put it out of my head. I am afraid," he went
on, with a growing hesitation, "you will be rather shocked."

"Ah," she cried quickly, catching at her breath, "something has
happened. Tell me. Don't preface it