t he paints them in ladies'
rooms without their husbands' knowledge? And in the common way of his
business does he not expect to be paid for his pictures?"

"But what is all that to you and me, Miss Demolines?"

"Is the welfare of your friend nothing to you? Would you like to see
him become the victim of the artifice of such a girl as Clara Van
Siever?"

"Upon my word I think he is very well able to take care of himself."

"And would you wish to see that poor creature's domestic hearth
ruined and broken up?"

"Which poor creature?"

"Dobbs Broughton, to be sure."

"I can't pretend that I care very much for Dobbs Broughton," said
John Eames; "and you see I know so little about his domestic hearth."

"Oh, Mr. Eames!"

"Besides, her principles will pull her through. You told me yourself
that Mrs. Broughton has high principles."

"God forbid that I should say a word against Maria Clutterbuck," said
Miss Demolines, fervently. "Maria Clutterbuck was my early friend,
and though words have been spoken which never should have been
spoken, and though things have been done which never should have been
dreamed of, still I will not desert Maria Clutterbuck in her hour of
need. No, never!"

"I'm sure you're what one may call a trump to your friends, Miss
Demolines."

"I have always endeavoured to be so, and always shall. You will find
me so; that is if you and I ever become intimate enough to feel that
sort of friendship."

"There's nothing on earth I should like better," said Johnny. As
soon as the words were out of his mouth he felt ashamed of himself.
He knew that he did not in truth desire the friendship of Miss
Demolines, and that any friendship with such a one would mean
something different from friendship,--something that would be an
injury to Lily Dale. A week had hardly passed since he had sworn a
life's constancy to Lily Dale,--had sworn it, not to her only, but to
himself; and now he was giving way to a flirtation with this woman,
not because he liked it himself, but because he was too weak to keep
out of it.

"If that is true--," said Miss Demolines.

"Oh, yes; it's quite true," said Johnny.

"Then you must earn my friendship by doing what I ask of you. That
picture must not be painted. You must tell Conway Dalrymple as his
friend that he must cease to carry on such an intrigue in another
man's house."

"You would hardly call painting a picture an intrigue; would you?"

"Certainly I would when it