r with her rosy face. But all the
shining was of no avail.

"Miss Todd, if this is to be a conversazione, we had better make it
so at once. But if it's whist, then I must say I never heard so much
talking in my life!"

"It's a little of both," said Miss Todd, not _sotto voce_.

"Oh, very well; now I understand," said Miss Ruff; and then she
resumed her work and went on with her calculations.

Miss Baker and Sir Lionel got up, of course, and going over to the
further part of the room continued their conversation. She soon told
him all she knew. She had hardly seen George herself, she said. But
Caroline had had a long interview with him, and on leaving him had
said that all--all now was over.

"I don't know what to make of it," said Miss Baker, with her
handkerchief to her eyes. "What do you think, Sir Lionel? You know
they say that lovers always do quarrel, and always do make it up
again."

"George is a very headstrong fellow," said Sir Lionel.

"Yes, that is what I have always felt; always. There was no being
sure with him. He is so wild, and has such starts."

"Has this been his doing?"

"Oh, yes, I think so. Not but that Caroline is very spirited too: I
suppose somehow it came about between them."

"He was tired of waiting."

"That might have been a reason twelve months ago, but there was to be
no more delay now; that is as I understood it. No, it has not been
that, Sir Lionel. It makes me very unhappy, I know;" and Miss Baker
again used her handkerchief.

"You mustn't distress yourself, my dearest friend," said Lionel. "For
my sake, don't. Oh, if you knew how it pains me to see you suffering
in that way! I think more of you in the matter than even of George;
I do indeed." And Sir Lionel contrived to give a little pinch to
the top of one of Miss Baker's fingers--not, however, without being
observed by the sharp eyes of his hostess.

"But, Caroline!" sobbed Miss Baker, behind her handkerchief. She was
nicely ensconced in the depth of a lounging-chair, so that she could
turn her face from the card-tables. It is so sweet to be consoled in
one's misery, especially when one really believes that the misery is
not incurable. So that on the whole Miss Baker was not unhappy.

"Yes, dear Caroline," said Sir Lionel; "of course I can say nothing
till I have heard more of the matter. But do you think Caroline
really loves him? Sometimes I have thought--"

"So have I, sometimes; that is I used. But she does love