combination was entirely pleasing. The further progress of the little
comedy needs not to be described here; it has only to be said that the
injured Laura is in the end restored to her repentant lover; and that a
final duet between her and Damon closes the piece with the most
praiseworthy sentiments:

"For their honor and faith be our virgins renown'd,
Nor false to his vows one young shepherd he found;
Be their moments all guided by virtue and truth,
To preserve in their age what they gain'd in their youth,
To preserve in their age what they gain'd in their youth."

Lord Rockminster rose from his chair, stretched his long legs, and threw
away his cigarette.

"Very well done," said he, slowly. "Congratulate all of you."

"This is the first time I ever saw Rockminster sit out a morning
performance," observed Percy Lestrange, with a playful grin.

"As for you young things," the mistress of the house said to her
girl-guests, as they were all trooping in by the French windows again,
"you must hurry home and get in-doors before the servants are up. I
don't want this frolic to be talked about all over the town."

"A frolic, indeed!" Miss Georgie protested, as her brother was putting
her cloak round her shoulders. "I don't call it a frolic at all. I call
it very serious business; and I'm looking forward to winning the deepest
gratitude of the English public--or at least as much of the English
public as you can cram into your garden, my dear."

Then, as soon as the light wraps and dust-coats had been distributed and
donned, the members of the gay little party said good-bye to Lady Adela
in the front hall, and went down the carriage sweep to the gate. Here
there was a division; for the Lestranges were going north by Holland
Lane to Notting Hill; while Lord Rockminster and his two sisters, making
for Palace Gardens Terrace, walked with Lionel Moore only as far as
Campden Hill Road; thereafter he pursued his journey to Piccadilly
alone.

And even now London was not fully awake, though the sun was touching the
topmost branches of the trees, and here and there a high window, struck
by the level rays, flashed back a gleam of gold. In this neighborhood
the thoroughfares were quite deserted; silence reigned over those
sleeping houses; the air was sweet and cool; now and again a stirring of
wind brought a scent of summer--blossom from within the
garden-enclosures. It is true that when he got down into Kensin