nd donned their cloaks and coats. They had
forgotten what the piece was about by the time they reached their
broughams.

Later on, at the stage-door, whither a four-wheeler had been brought for
her, Miss Burgoyne lingered. Presently Lionel came along. He would have
passed her, but she intercepted him; and in the dusk outside she thrust
forth her hand.

"Will you forgive me, Lionel? I ask your forgiveness," she said, in an
undertone that was suggestive of tears. "I don't know what made me say
such things--I didn't mean them--I'm very sorry. See," she continued,
and in the dull lamp-light she showed him her ungloved hand, with the
engagement-ring in its former place--"I have put on the ring again. Of
course, you are hurt and offended; but you are more forgiving than a
woman--a man should be. I will never say a word against her again; I
should have remembered how you were companions before she came to
England; and I can understand your affection for her, and your--your
regret about her going away. Now will you be generous?--will you forgive
me?"

"Oh, yes, that's all right," he said--as he was bound to say.

"But that's not enough. Will you come now and have some supper with Jim
and me, and we'll talk about everything--except that one thing?"

"No, thanks, I can't; I have an engagement," he made answer.

She hesitated for a moment. Then she offered him her hand again.

"Well, at all events, bygones are to be bygones," she said. "And
to-morrow I'm going to begin to knit a woollen vest for you, that you
can slip on before you come out. Good-night, dearest!"

"Good-night," he said; and he opened the door of the cab for her and
told the cabman her address; then--rather slowly and absently--he set
out for the Garden Club.

The first person he beheld at the Garden Club was Octavius Quirk--of
course at the supper-table.

"Going to Lady Adela's on the 3d?" said the bilious-looking Quirk, in a
gay manner.

"I should want to be asked first," was Lionel's simple rejoinder.

"Ah!" said the other, complacently, "I heard you had not been much there
lately. A charming house--most interesting--quite delightful to see
people of their station so eagerly devoted to the arts. Music, painting,
literature--all the elegancies of life--and all touched with a light and
graceful hand. You should read some of Lady Adela's descriptions in her
new book--not seen it?--no?--ah, well, it will be out before long for
the general world to rea