a person says a thing right out, how is one to
be sure what he is going to do?"

"Oh! that is unlike you. It is unworthy of you," says Joyce, turning
from her scornfully. "You did know. And it is not," turning back again
and confronting the now thoroughly frightened Barbara with a glance full
of pathos, "it is not that--your insincerity that hurt me so much, it
is----"

"I didn't mean to be insincere; you are very cruel--you do not measure
your words."

"You will tell me next that you meant it all for the best," with a
bitter smile. "That is the usual formula, isn't it? Well, never mind;
perhaps you did. What I object to is you didn't tell me. That I was kept
designedly in the dark both by him and you. Am I," with sudden fire, "a
child or a fool, that you should seek to guide me so blindly? Well,"
drawing a long breath, "I won't keep you in the dark. When I left the
gallery, and your protege, I met--Mr. Beauclerk!"

Mrs. Monkton, stunned by this intelligence, remains silent for a full
minute. It is death to her hopes. If she has met that man again, it is
impossible to know how things have gone. His fatal influence--her
unfortunate infatuation for him--all will be ruinous to poor Felix's
hopes.

"You spoke to him?" asks she at last, in an emotionless tone.

"Yes."

"Was Felix with you?"

"When?"

"When you met that odious man?"

"Mr. Beauclerk? No; I dismissed Mr. Dysart as soon as ever I could."

"No doubt. And Mr. Beauclerk, did you dismiss him as promptly."

"Certainly not. There was no occasion."

"No inclination, either. You were kind to him at all events. It is only
to the man who is honest and sincere that you are deliberately uncivil."

"I hope I was uncivil to neither of them."

"There is no use giving yourself that air with me, Joyce. You are angry
with me; but why? Only because I am anxious for your happiness. Oh! that
hateful man, how I detest him! He has made you unhappy once--he will
certainly make you unhappy again."

"I don't think so," says Joyce, taking up her hat and furs with the
evident intention of leaving the room, and thus putting an end to the
discussion.

"You will never think so until it is too late. You haven't the strength
of mind to throw him over, once and for all, and give your thoughts to
one who is really worthy of you. On the contrary, you spend your time
comparing him favorably with the good and faithful Felix."

"You should put that down. It will do for his tom