tles those things. I'd soon make them see matters
in a different light. Poor Myra would be obedient then, and there'd be
an end of all this moping. I believe she delights in making herself
miserable."

It was just when Edie had reached this point, and she was stirring her
tea, and thinking how easily she could settle matters if she were at the
head of affairs, so as to make everybody happy, herself included, when
her uncle made his malapropos remarks.

There was no more sunshine in the dining room after that. Myra looked
cold and pale, the admiral was uncomfortable behind the paper, in which
he enveloped himself as in a cloud, from which came a hand at intervals
to feel about the table in an absurd way for toast or his coffee cup,
which was twice over nearly overturned.

Then he became visible for a moment or two as he turned the paper, but
it closed him in again, and from behind it there came, now and then, a
fidgeting nervous cough, which was as annoying to the utterer as to
those who listened.

"Going out to-day, girls?" asked Sir Mark at last, but without removing
the paper.

"Yes, uncle," said Edie sharply, for her cousin had given her an
imploring look, and the girl could see that Myra was greatly agitated
still; "the carriage is coming round at two. Shall we drop you at the
club?"

"Great Heavens!" ejaculated the old man in a tone which startled both
his hearers, and as if expectant from some premonition, Myra thrust back
her chair, and sat gazing at the paper wildly.

"What is it, uncle?" cried Edie.

"Eh? Oh, nothing, my dear," said Sir Mark confusedly, as he rustled the
paper and hurriedly turned it. "More horrors. These editors seem to
revel in them, or the public do. So shocking; no sooner is one at an
end, than another begins."

He had screened his face again as quickly as he could, for he was a
miserable dissembler, and Edie and Myra exchanged glances. Then, rising
slowly with her hand pressed to her breast, Myra made as if she would go
to the other side of the table, but her strength failed her, and as her
father cleared his throat with a sonorous cough, she clung to the edge,
crumpling up the white cloth in her damp fingers.

Edie rose too, but throwing up her head, Myra motioned her back
imperiously, and stood for a few moments with her lips parted and eyes
dilated, gazing at the paper, as if devouring its contents, while from
behind it came the admiral's voice with forced careles