eater and the lesser lights,
He chose it for the Star of Suffering.'

UGO BASSI.

It is better to draw a veil over the scene that followed Audrey's abrupt
announcement. As Captain Burnett said afterwards, 'Geraldine's attitude
was superb; she was grand, absolutely grand.'

Mrs. Ross was, as usual, a little plaintive.

'If you had only mentioned where you were going, Audrey,' she said
quietly; 'but you are so impulsive, my dear. Geraldine would have
accompanied you with pleasure a little later, and you could have left my
card, and a civil message for Mrs. Blake; that would have been far
nicer, would it not, my love?' with an appealing look at her young
adviser.

'You can send the message by Mr. Blake this evening,' replied Audrey.

She never argued with her mother if she could possibly help it. In the
first place, it was not filial, and in the second, it was perfectly
useless, as there was always a mental reservation in Mrs. Ross's mind,
and she could seldom be induced to decide any question without reference
to Geraldine.

'I think father might have consulted Percival before he asked another
guest,' observed Mrs. Harcourt in rather a dubious tone, for she was
exceedingly jealous of her husband's dignity. 'Percival was told that we
were to be quite alone. I was not going home to change my dress. But if
this young man be invited----'

'My darling,' interrupted her mother, 'you must not think of walking
back all that way--that gown is lovely, is it not, Audrey?--and one more
person does not signify. No doubt your father was anxious that Percival
should see Mr. Blake and give him his opinion; he thinks so much of
Percival's judgment, does he not, Audrey?'

Now here was the opportunity for a douceur, for a nicely-adjusted
compliment, to smooth her sister's ruffled brow; but Audrey was far too
blunt and truthful for such finesse.

'Father told me that he wanted Michael to see Mr. Blake--I don't believe
he was thinking of Percival--because of course the lower school has
nothing to do with Hillside. There is not the least need of changing
your gown, Gage, for of course we are only a family party. Will you come
up with me to my room now, or will you go with mother presently?'

'I will come with you,' returned Mrs. Harcourt.

Audrey was inclined to be contumacious, but she would not yield the
matter so meekly. Audrey was always more contradictory when Michael was
in th