herself proudly aloof.

Lady Alice started.

"I hadn't heard. I'm very sorry for you. How old was he?"

"Three years old."

"Poor baby!" The words were very low and soft. "My boy--was fourteen.
But you have other children?"

"No--and I don't want them. They might die, too."

Lady Alice paused. She still held her half-sister by the arm, towering
above her. She was quite as thin as Kitty, but much taller and more
largely built; and, beside the elaborate elegance of Kitty's mourning,
Alice's black veil and dress had a severe, conventual air. They were
almost the dress of a religious.

"How are you?" she said, gently. "I often think of you. Are you happy in
your marriage?"

Kitty laughed.

"We're such a happy lot, aren't we? We understand it so well. Oh, don't
trouble about me. You know you said you couldn't have anything to do
with me. Are you staying in Venice?"

"I came in from Treviso for a day or two, to see a friend--"

"You had better not stay," said Kitty, hastily. "Maman is here. At
least, if you don't want to run across her."

Lady Alice let go her hold.

"I shall go home to-morrow morning."

They moved on a few steps in silence, then Alice paused. Kitty's
delicate face and cloud of hair made a pale, luminous spot in the
darkness of the <i>calle</i>. Alice looked at her with emotion.

"I want to say something to you."

"Yes?"

"If you are ever in trouble--if you ever want me, send for me. Address
Treviso, and it will always find me."

Kitty made no reply. They had reached a bridge over a side canal, and
she stopped, leaning on the parapet.

"Did you hear what I said?" asked her companion.

"Yes. I'll remember. I suppose you think it your duty. What do you do
with yourself?"

"I have two orphan children I bring up. And there is my lace-school. It
doesn't get on much; but it occupies me."

"Are you a Catholic?"

"Yes."

"Wish I was!" said Kitty. She hung over the marble balustrade in
silence, looking at the crescent moon that was just peering over the
eastern palaces of the canal. "My husband is in politics, you know. He's
Home Secretary."

"Yes, I heard. Do you help him?"

"No--just the other thing."

Kitty lifted up a pebble and let it drop into the water.

"I don't know what you mean by that," said Alice Wensleydale, coldly.
"If you don't help him you'll be sorry--when it's too late to be sorry."

"Oh, I know!" said Kitty. Then she moved restlessly. "I must go in.
Good-nig