e was
looking, but her father did not perceive it. He was talking of Colonel
Vaughan.

'So provoking of Vaughan, to go and tire himself in the heat, and make
his nose bleed, and all that sort of thing.'

Freda did not answer. Her thoughts were running wild--here, there, and
everywhere. One moment, she believed that Gladys had been romancing for
some purpose of her own; the next, that all she said was true. Then she
felt sure that Colonel Vaughan must really love Gladys, and must mean
all that he said; and a cold shudder crept over her, as she became aware
how much she loved him. Again, she knew that a man of his position could
only be trifling with a girl in her's, and was ready to hate and despise
one who could be so vile. As she thought and thought, she grew paler and
paler--colder and colder; and when she entered Lady Mary Nugent's
drawing-room, that lady said,--

'My dear Freda, what is the matter? You look so ill, and feel so cold.'

'Nothing but the heat. It always has this enervating effect on me,' was
the answer.

The absence of Colonel Vaughan set the shrewd Lady Mary guessing as to
the real cause of the sudden indisposition; she felt sure that something
must have passed between him and Freda more exciting than usual to
occasion such paleness.

At dinner, Freda was fortunate in being placed next Sir Hugh Pryse, who
knew her too well, and was far too fond of her, to make any personal
remarks.

Miss Nugent's uncle, Lord Nugent, was the master of the ceremonies for
the evening. He had come, as Miss Nugent's guardian, to resign his
office, and to be present at her attaining her majority. Freda had once
met him before, and liked him. He was now particularly friendly in his
manner to her, but when he spoke to her across one intermediate person,
she could only answer him in monosyllables. Every one silently remarked
her absence of mind and unusual frigidity.

When the dinner was over, of which Freda only remembered that she had
had certain viands placed before her, and when the ladies were leaving
the dining-room, Colonel Vaughan's voice was heard in the hall. Lady
Mary told a servant to show him into the dining-room; and as Freda was
crossing the hall, she saw him at the opposite end of it. She hurried
into the drawing-room, but was keenly alive to what passed in the hall
after she had done so. She heard him, with his usual courtly manner,
apologise to Lady Mary Nugent for his non-appearance at the
dinner-