elf established somewhat familiar relations
with foreign countries by reason of his meeting with the ships and
sailors hailing from those distant shores. He displayed a profound
knowledge of the habits and customs and of the natural products of
many remote lands which were much farther afield than a little bit of
inland Germany. He represented the island of Borva, indeed, as a
sort of lighthouse from which you could survey pretty nearly all the
countries of the world, and broadly hinted that so far from insular
prejudice being the fruit of living in such a place, a general
intercourse with diverse peoples tended to widen the understanding and
throw light on the various social experiments that had been made by
the lawgivers, the philanthropists, the philosophers of the world.

It seemed to Sheila, as she sat and listened, that the pale, calm and
clear-eyed young lady opposite her was not quite so self-possessed
as usual. She seemed shy and a little self-conscious. Did she suspect
that she was being observed, Sheila wondered? and the reason? When
dinner was announced she took Sheila's arm, and allowed Mr. Ingram to
follow them, protesting, into the other room, but there was much more
of embarrassment and timidity than of an audacious mischief in her
look. She was very kind indeed to Sheila, but she had wholly abandoned
that air of maternal patronage which she used to assume toward the
girl. She seemed to wish to be more friendly and confidential with
her, and indeed scarcely spoke a word to Ingram during dinner, so
persistently did she talk to Sheila, who sat next her.

Ingram got vexed. "Mrs. Lorraine," he said, "you seem to forget that
this is a solemn occasion. You ask us to a farewell banquet, but
instead of observing the proper ceremonies you pass the time in
talking about fancy-work and music, and other ordinary, every--day
trifles."

"What are the ceremonies?" she said.

"Well," he answered, "you need not occupy the time with crochet--"

"Mrs. Lavender and I are very well pleased to talk about trifles."

"But I am not," he said bluntly, "and I am not going to be shut out by
a conspiracy. Come, let us talk about your journey."

"Will my lord give his commands as to the point at which we shall
start the conversation?"

"You may skip the Channel."

"I wish I could," she remarked with a sigh.

"We shall land you in Paris. How are we to know that you have arrived
safely?"

She looked embarrassed for a mome