ife.
What a delightful meal! I have seen nothing more refined in Paris."

There was a delicious lobster-salad, a dish of cold cutlets and jelly,
and a great heap of strawberries with cream.

"Now get to business," said Mrs. Wilders, in a snarling, ill-tempered
way; "let's have it out."

"It's a pity you are out of humour this morning," observed Mr. Hobson,
with a provoking forbearance. "I have come to find fault."

Mrs. Wilders shrugged her shoulders, implying that she did not care.

"It may seem ungracious, but I must take you to task seriously. How is
it you give me no news?"

"I tell you all I hear; what more do you want?"

"A great deal. Look here, Cyprienne, I am not to be put off with
stale, second-hand gossip--the echoes of the Clubs; vague, empty
rumours that are on everybody's tongue long before they come to me. I
must have fresh, brand-new intelligence, straight from the
fountain-head. You must get it for me, or--"

The old frightened look which we have seen on Mrs. Wilders's face
before when brought into antagonism with this man returned to it, and
her voice was less firm, her manner less defiant, as she said--

"Spare me your threats. You know I am most anxious to oblige you--to
help you."

"You have put me off too long with these vague promises. I must have
something more tangible at once."

"It is so difficult to find out anything."

"Not if you go the right way to work. A woman of your attractions,
your cleverness, ought to be able to twist any man round her finger.
You have done it often enough already, goodness knows. Now, there's
old Faulks; when did you see him last?"

"Not a week ago."

"And you got nothing out of him? I thought he was devoted to you."

"He is most attentive, most obliging, but still exceedingly wary. He
will talk about anything rather than business. I have tried him
repeatedly. I have introduced the subject of his nephew, of whom he is
now so proud."

"Your enemy, you mean--that young McKay."

"Exactly. I thought that by bringing the conversation to the Crimea I
might squeeze out something important. But no! he is always as close
as an oyster."

"He will be ready enough to talk about his dear nephew before long.
You may look out for some startling news about McKay."

"Really?" said Mrs. Wilders, growing suddenly excited. "Your plan has
succeeded, then?"

"Any day you may hear that he has been removed effectually, and for
ever, from your path. But for the m