ave thought it of Archie!"

"One never knows," said I, with an apologetic smile. "I don't suppose he
thinks it of you."

"I won't tell him a single word. He may find out if he likes. Who was
the last girl you mentioned?"

"Is it any use trying to remember all their names?" I asked in a
soothing tone. "No doubt he's forgotten them by now--just as you've
forgotten the others."

"And the Dowager told me that he had never had an attachment before."

"Oh, if the Dowager said that! Of course, the Dowager would know!"

"Don't be so silly, for goodness sake! Are you going?"

"Certainly I am. It might annoy Archie to find me here when he wants to
talk to you."

"Well, I want to talk to him."

"Of course you won't repeat what I've--"

"I shall find out for myself," she said.

"Goodbye. I hope I've removed all your troubles?"

"O, yes, thank you. I know what to do now, Mr. Carter."

"Always send for me if you're in any trouble. I have some exp--"

"Goodbye, Mr. Carter."

"Goodbye, Lady Mickleham. And remember that Archie, like you--"

"Yes, yes; I know. Must you go?"

"I'm afraid I must. I've enjoyed our talk so--"

"There's Archie's step."

I left the room. On the stairs I met Archie. I shook hands
sympathetically. I was sorry for Archie. But in great causes the
individual cannot be considered. I had done my duty to my sex.

MY LAST CHANCE

"Now mind," said Mrs. Hilary Musgrave, impressively, "this is the last
time I shall take any trouble about you. She's a very nice girl, quite
pretty, and she'll have a lot of money. You can be very pleasant when
you like--"

"This unsolicited testimonial--"

"Which isn't often--and if you don't do it this time I wash my hands of
you. Why, how old are you?"

"Hush, Mrs. Hilary."

"You must be nearly--"

"It's false--false--false!"

"Come along," said Mrs. Hilary, and she added over her shoulder, "she
has a slight north-country accent."

"It might have been Scotch," said I.

"She plays the piano a good deal."

"It might have been the fiddle," said I.

"She's very fond of Browning."

"It might have been Ibsen," said I.

Mrs. Hilary, seeing that I was determined to look on the bright side,
smiled graciously on me and introduced me to the young lady. She
was decidedly good-looking, fresh and sincere of aspect, with large
inquiring eyes--eyes which I felt would demand a little too much of me
at breakfast--but then a large tea-urn puts that all right