ction, she
decided that it was her duty to trust her excellent husband. "I will
receive the charming widow," she said, "to-morrow at twelve o'clock;
and, if she produces the right impression, I promise to overlook the
weakness of her eyes."

IV.

BEAUCOURT had prolonged the period appointed for the trial trip of
his yacht by a whole week. His apology when he returned delighted the
kind-hearted old lady who had made him a present of the vessel.

"There isn't such another yacht in the whole world," he declared. "I
really hadn't the heart to leave that beautiful vessel after only
three days experience of her." He burst out with a torrent of technical
praises of the yacht, to which his wife listened as attentively as if
she really understood what he was talking about. When his breath and his
eloquence were exhausted alike, she said, "Now, my dear, it's my turn. I
can match your perfect vessel with my perfect lady."

"What! you have found a companion?"

"Yes."

"Did Dick find her for you?"

"He did indeed. You shall see for yourself how grateful I ought to be to
your friend."

She opened a door which led into the next room. "Mary, my dear, come and
be introduced to my husband."

Beaucourt started when he heard the name, and instantly recovered
himself. He had forgotten how many Marys there are in the world.

Lady Howel returned, leading her favorite by the hand, and gayly
introduced her the moment they entered the room.

"Mrs. Evelin; Lord--"

She looked at her husband. The utterance of his name was instantly
suspended on her lips. Mrs. Evelin's hand, turning cold at the same
moment in her hand, warned her to look round. The face of the woman more
than reflected the inconcealable agitation in the face of the man.

The wife's first words, when she recovered herself, were addressed to
them both.

"Which of you can I trust," she asked, "to tell me the truth?"

"You can trust both of us," her husband answered.

The firmness of his tone irritated her. "I will judge of that for
myself," she said. "Go back to the next room," she added, turning to
Mrs. Evelin; "I will hear you separately."

The companion, whose duty it was to obey--whose modesty and gentleness
had won her mistress's heart--refused to retire.

"No," she said; "I have been deceived too. I have _my_ right to hear
what Lord Howel has to say for himself."

Beaucourt attempted to support the claim that she had advanced. His
wife sternly signed to