aking to
you to-morrow, though, of course, I shall see you in the church."

"Oh, yes, we shall all be at church," said Doreen, quickly.

She noted something rather unusual in the curate's manner--a nervous
excitement which presaged danger; and she dashed into an air from "The
Shop-Girl" with an energy which was meant to have the effect of checking
his solemn ardor.

But the curate had the stuff of a man in him, and did not mean to be put
off. This opportunity was really a good one, for the talk in the room,
which his arrival had checked for an instant, was now going on merrily.
Mrs. Wedmore did her best to keep up the conversation. Nothing would
have pleased her better than to see Doreen transfer her tender feeling
for the discredited Dudley to such a suitable and irreproachable person
as Lisle Lindsay. She kept a hopeful eye on the pair at the piano while
she went on talking to her husband's old friend, Mrs. Hutchinson, who
was staying with them for Christmas.

"And at the same time," went on Mr. Lindsay, as he moved his chair a
little nearer, so that, under cover of the music, he could speak without
being overheard, "to speak to you on a subject which is--is--in fact,
very near my heart."

This was worse than Doreen had expected. She glanced round at him with
rather a frightened expression. "Oh, don't let us talk about
anything--anything serious now," said she. "Just when we shall be going
downstairs to--to dance--in a few minutes."

It was a very inconsequent objection to make, and Mr. Lindsay simply
ignored it.

"It is, in fact, about myself that I wish to speak, Miss Wedmore," he
pursued relentlessly. "You cannot have failed to notice what a--what a
deep interest I take in all that concerns you. And latterly I have
flattered myself that--"

"But people should never flatter themselves about anything!" cried
Doreen, desperately, as she suddenly laid her hands in her lap and
turned from the piano to face the worst. "Now I'll give you an example.
I flattered myself a little while ago that a man cared a great deal
about me--a man I cared a great deal for myself. And all the while he
didn't; or, at least, I am afraid he didn't. And yet, you know, I can't
help hoping that perhaps I didn't only flatter myself, after all; that
perhaps he will come back some day and tell me I was right."

Mr. Lindsay heard her in silence, with his mild eyes fixed on the
carpet. But when she had finished he looked up again, and she