n epicure, you
know, postpones the finest pleasures. He does so sometimes because of
the enchantment of distance and again because he can't help himself.
That has been my case."

It was fully a moment before Mrs. Austen got it. Then she said: "But I
told you, didn't I? Mr. Lennox is dead and buried."

It was quick work. Paliser, admiring her agility, laughed. "So recently
though! The immortelles have not had time to fade."

That would have made a saint swear! Not being a saint, Mrs. Austen
contented herself with virtuous surprise. "But there were none! I told
you that. I told you that any attraction he may have had for my child,
he shocked straight out of her. Not deliberately. Dear me, I would not
have you fancy such a thing for a moment. Nor would I misjudge him. I
hope I am too conscientious. But such interest as the child had in
him--an interest I need hardly say that was girlish and immature--he
destroyed."

The picture, bold but crude, had its defects. To remedy them, Mrs.
Austen applied the brush. "That singing-girl! You know whom I mean. I
saw you with her the night we went to the Bazaar."

Paliser nodded. He knew indeed! He knew too that, for a moment, he had
fancied that Cassy was in love with Lennox. But that idea he had long
since abandoned and what she could now be doing in this galley intrigued
him.

With a free hand Mrs. Austen laid on the colours. "You will hardly
credit it, but we as good as caught him with her. As good or as bad. It
is a matter of taste. For me it was very painful. A woman should be
spared such an experience. As for Margaret, while the child certainly
did not understand--how could she?--yet, even in her innocence, she
realised--well--that he is just what you said."

It was a bit thick and Paliser began to laugh.

Mrs. Austen saw that he did not believe her. The fact annoyed and in
vexation she piled it on. "Afterward, in this very room, I taxed him
with it and he admitted it."

What a lie! thought Paliser, who specialised in that article. But, a
second thought prompting, he wondered whether it were a lie. His
knowledge of Cassy refuted it. At the same time, where women are
concerned, you never know. One thing, however, he did know. In his
quality of expert he knew that there are statements which, whether true
or false, may come in handy and, comfortably, he smiled.

"So that was the reason why the engagement was broken."

"What more would you have?" replied the candid cre