had. His friends congratulated him, and his acquaintances greeted him
with a warmth that, a few years before, would have cheered his heart and
have made him their friend for life. Mrs. Nailor, when she met him,
almost fell on his neck. She actually called him her "dear boy."

"Oh, I have been hearing about you!" she said archly. "You must come
and dine with us at once and tell us all about it."

"About what?" inquired Keith.

"About your great successes on the other side. You see, your friends
keep up with you!"

"They do, indeed, and sometimes get ahead of me," said Keith.

"How would to-morrow suit you? No, not to-morrow--Saturday? No; we are
going out Saturday. Let me see--we are so crowded with engagements I
shall have to go home and look at my book. But you must come very soon.
You have heard the news, of course? Isn't it dreadful?"

"What news?" He knew perfectly what she meant.

"About the Norman-Wentworths getting a divorce? Dreadful, isn't it?
Perfectly dreadful! But, of course, it was to be expected. Any one could
see that all along?"

"I could not," said Keith, dryly; "but I do not claim to be any one."

"Which side are you on? Norman's, I suppose?"

"Neither," said Keith.

"You know, Ferdy always was in love with her?" This with a glance to
obtain Keith's views.

"No; I know nothing about it."

"Yes; always," she nodded oracularly. "Of course, he is making love to
Alice Lancaster, too, and to the new governess at the Wentworths'."

"Who is that?" asked Keith, moved by some sudden instinct to inquire.

"That pretty country cousin of Norman's, whom they brought there to save
appearances when Norman first left. Huntington is her name."

Keith suddenly grew hot.

"Yes, Ferdy is making love to her, too. Why, they say that is what they
have quarrelled about. Louise is insanely jealous, and she is very
pretty. Yes--you know, Ferdy is like some other men? Just gregarious!
Yes? But Louise Wentworth was always his _grande passion_. He is just
amusing himself with the governess, and she, poor little fool, supposes
she has made a conquest. You know how it is?"

"I really know nothing about it," declared Keith, in a flame.

"Yes; and he was always her _grande passion_? Don't you think so?"

"No, I do not," said Keith, firmly. "I know nothing about it; but I
believe she and Norman were devoted,--as devoted a couple as I ever
saw,--and I do not see why people cannot let them alone. I think none
too