rly perplexed Gladys.

'Oh, Clara, isn't that lovely? If I don't tell George Fordyce that the
first time I see him! It'll do him all the good in the world. Only,
Gladys, he will never forgive you.'

'Why? I have not said anything against him.'

'No, you have simply ignored him, and that is an unpardonable offence
against my lord. You must let me tell him, Gladys. It is really my duty
to tell him, and we should always do our duty by our relations, should
we not?'

'I am sure I don't mind in the least if you do tell him,' replied Gladys
serenely. 'Do you think I said anything very dreadful, Clara?'

'Not I. Never mind Mina, dear. You should be learning not to mind
anything she says.'

'There's the bell. That's mother, I hope. We never miss mother more than
at tea-time,' said Mina, jumping up. Love for her mother was the passion
of her soul. It shone in her face, and betrayed itself in a hundred
little attentions which touched Gladys inexpressibly. Clara was always
more reserved, but though her feelings found slower expression they were
not less deep and keen; and though Gladys felt at home and happy with
every member of that singularly united household, it was to Clara, who
was so seldom the favourite outside, that her heart went out in love.

'It is not mother. It's callers, I do believe,' cried Mina, giving her
hair a tug before the mirror, and shaking out her skirts, while her face
brightened with expectation.

'Mr. and Miss Fordyce.'

Clara rose and went hastily forward to receive her cousins, while the
irrepressible Mina strove to hide her laughter, though her eyes danced
in the most suspicious manner. It was with rather more than ordinary
interest that Gladys regarded the new-comers. They were certainly a
handsome pair, and so closely resembling each other that their
relationship was at once apparent.

'To what do we owe this unexpected felicity?' inquired Mina banteringly.
'On such a day, too.'

'Yes, indeed; we quite expected to see you in the house we have just
left,' said Julia a little stiffly.

'Where, where?'

'Evelyn Stuart's. Have you forgotten this is her first reception day?'

'So it is, and we forgot all about it. Clara, whatever shall we do? Was
there a crowd?'

'Yes, an awful crowd.'

While answering Mina, Miss Julia inclined her head in recognition of
Gladys, to whom Clara introduced her. The slightest possible surprise
betrayed itself in the uplifting of her straight brows, as he