the banker's wife
spoke.

"It is the intense cold that is splitting the trees. It is also the cold
that has brought the wolves out in such numbers. It is many years since
we have had such a cold winter."

The Baroness eagerly agreed that the cold was responsible for these
things. It was the cold of the open window, too, which caused the heart
failure that made the doctor's ministrations unnecessary for the old
Fraulein. But the notice in the newspapers looked very well--

"On December 29th, at Schloss Cernogratz, Amalie von Cernogratz, for
many years the valued friend of Baron and Baroness Gruebel."

LOUIS

"It would be jolly to spend Easter in Vienna this year," said
Strudwarden, "and look up some of my old friends there. It's about the
jolliest place I know of to be at for Easter--"

"I thought we had made up our minds to spend Easter at Brighton,"
interrupted Lena Strudwarden, with an air of aggrieved surprise.

"You mean that you had made up your mind that we should spend Easter
there," said her husband; "we spent last Easter there, and Whitsuntide as
well, and the year before that we were at Worthing, and Brighton again
before that. I think it would be just as well to have a real change of
scene while we are about it."

"The journey to Vienna would be very expensive," said Lena.

"You are not often concerned about economy," said Strudwarden, "and in
any case the trip of Vienna won't cost a bit more than the rather
meaningless luncheon parties we usually give to quite meaningless
acquaintances at Brighton. To escape from all that set would be a
holiday in itself."

Strudwarden spoke feelingly; Lena Strudwarden maintained an equally
feeling silence on that particular subject. The set that she gathered
round her at Brighton and other South Coast resorts was composed of
individuals who might be dull and meaningless in themselves, but who
understood the art of flattering Mrs. Strudwarden. She had no intention
of foregoing their society and their homage and flinging herself among
unappreciative strangers in a foreign capital.

"You must go to Vienna alone if you are bent on going," she said; "I
couldn't leave Louis behind, and a dog is always a fearful nuisance in a
foreign hotel, besides all the fuss and separation of the quarantine
restrictions when one comes back. Louis would die if he was parted from
me for even a week. You don't know what that would mean to me."

Lena stooped