ered. "It is
through him I was appointed agent to Mr. Henslow."

"Oh, business! I see," she answered, shrugging her shoulders. "Same
here. I'm a doctor's wife, you know. Did you ever see such awful
girls! and who in the name of all that's marvellous can be their
dressmaker?"

"Bullsom is a very good sort indeed," Brooks answered. "I have a great
respect for him."

She made a little face.

"Who's the nice-looking girl in black with her hair parted in the
middle?" she asked. "Mr. Bullsom's niece. She is quite charming, and
most intelligent."

"Dear me!" Mrs. Huntingdon remarked. "I had no idea she had anything
to do with the family. Sort of a Cinderella look about her now you
mention it. Couldn't you get her to come over and talk to me? I'm
horribly afraid of Mrs. Bullsom. She'll come out of that dress if
she tries to talk, and I know I shall laugh."

"I'm sure I can," Brooks answered, rising with alacrity. "I'll bring
her over in a minute."

Mary had just finished arranging a card-table when Brooks drew her on
one side.

"About that subject!" he began.

"We shall scarcely have time to talk about it now, shall we?" she
answered. "You will be wanted to play cards or something. We shall be
quite content to leave it to you."

"I should like to talk it over with you," he said. "Do tell me when I
may see you."

She sat down, and he stood by her chair. "Really, I don't know," she
answered. "Perhaps I shall be at home when you pay your duty call."

"Come and have some tea at Mellor's with me to-morrow."

She seemed not to hear him. She had caught Mrs. Seventon's eye across
the room, and rose to her feet.

"You have left Mrs. Seventon alone all the evening," she said. "I must
go and talk to her."

He stood before her--a little insistent.

"I shall expect you at half-past four," he said.

She shook her head.

Oh, no. I have an engagement."

"The next day, then."

"Thank you! I would rather you did not ask me. I have a great deal to
do just now. I will bring the girls to the lecture."

"Wednesday week," he protested, "is a long way off."

"You can go over to Enton," she laughed, "and get some more cheques from
your wonderful friend."

"I wonder," he remarked, "why you dislike Lord Arranmore so much."

"Instinct perhaps--or caprice," she answered, lightly.

"The latter for choice," he answered. "I don't think that he is a man
to dislike instinctively. He rather affected me the other way."

She wa