ince her mother's death,
and she wonders if he will speak when they get out of church, and why he
ever came into their pew. But when the service is over, Teddy having
sung lustily in his shrill voice, nothing awkward takes place.

'A merry Christmas,' he says.

'The same to you,' replies Philippa.

'Are you going to walk home?' he asks.

'No, we are going back in a hansom.'

Here Teddy interrupts with, 'Did you know I've got a sister, you'll come
and see her, won't you?'

'I shall be delighted,' replies Dalrymple, looking at Lippa, who has
turned her head away. 'May I come?' he asks in a low voice.

But Miss Seaton does not answer, as Lady Dadford suddenly appears, 'Ah!
my _dear_ child,' she exclaims, 'how is the sweet mother and the baby?'

So a long string of questions ensues, and Philippa answers them, feeling
that Jimmy is watching her, and suddenly she meets his eye, and there is
a look of entreaty in them that makes her smile back; such a dear little
tender smile, that it causes Dalrymple to start, while a new life seems
to course through his veins.

Ah! what a great deal a pretty woman's smile may do, of good and often
alas of harm.

How many men have been lured on by a smile and only too late have awoke
from its enchantment. Oh, women, women, some of you hardly take into
consideration what a great part you take in the world's drama; with you
it lies to make or mar the lives of the men, be they brothers, husbands,
sons or merely friends; it is in your power to make them God-fearing,
true gentlemen; and it is you too, who drag them down till they become
mere lovers of pleasure, giving way to every vanity, forgetting
_surely_ that they are human beings, with immortal souls!

* * * * *

It is tea-time, and in Brook Street Lippa has just begun to pour out
that delicious beverage for herself and her brother, when the door opens
and Dalrymple walks in.

'Hullo,' says George, 'what an age it is since you have been near the
house--'

'Yes,' replies Jimmy, rather lamely, taking Philippa's proffered hand.

'How do you do, again,' says she, 'you will have some tea, won't you?'

Jimmy says, 'Thanks,' and for a second or two there is an awkward pause,
neither Lippa nor Dalrymple feeling quite at their ease, and George
never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and
suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a long argument as
to who it is like,