not intended for that purpose.

"Some of them," he said, "will look self-conscious in heaven."

"I hope so," said Lady Cantourne quietly; "that is the least one may
expect."

"I trust that there will be no skirt--" Sir John broke off suddenly,
with a quick smile. "I was about to be profane," he said, taking her
cup. "But I know you do not like it."

She looked up at him with a wan little smile. She was wondering whether
he remembered as well as she did that half an ordinary lifetime lay
between that moment and the occasion when she reproved his profanity.

"Come," she said, rising, "take me back to the drawing-room, and I will
make somebody introduce me to the girl."

Jocelyn Gordon, sitting near the fire, talking to a white-moustached
explorer, and listening good-naturedly to a graphic account of travels
which had been put in the background by more recent wanderers, was
somewhat astounded when the hostess came up to her a few minutes later,
and introduced a stout little lady, with twinkling, kindly eyes, by the
name of Lady Cantourne. She had heard vaguely of Lady Cantourne as a
society leader of the old school, but had no clue to this obviously
intentional introduction.

"You are wondering," said Lady Cantourne, when she had sent the explorer
on his travels elsewhere in order that she might have his seat--"you are
wondering why I asked to know you."

She looked into the girl's face with bright, searching eyes.

"I am afraid I was," admitted Jocelyn.

"I have two reasons: one vulgar--the other sentimental. The vulgar
reason was curiosity. I like to know people whose appearance
prepossesses me. I am an old woman--no, you need not shake your head, my
dear! not with me--I am almost a very old woman, but not quite; and all
my life I have trusted in appearances. And," she paused, studying the
lace of her fan, "I suppose I have not made more mistakes than other
people. I have always made a point of trying to get to know people whose
appearance I like. That is my vulgar reason. You do not mind my saying
so--do you?"

Jocelyn laughed with slightly heightened colour, which Lady Cantourne
noted with an appreciative little nod.

"My other reason is that, years ago at school, I knew a girl who was
very like you. I loved her intensely--for a short time--as girls do
at school, you know. Her name was Treseaton--the Honourable Julia
Treseaton."

"My mother!" said Jocelyn eagerly.

"I thought so. I did not think so a