t me. He
looked the brightest and the youngest of living elderly gentlemen, with
his smart blue frock-coat, his winning smile, his ruby ring, and his
ready compliment. It was quite cheering to meet the modern Don Juan once
more.

"I don't ask after your health," said the old gentleman; "your eyes
answer me, my dear lady, before I can put the question. At your age
a long sleep is the true beauty-draught. Plenty of bed--there is the
simple secret of keeping your good looks and living a long life--plenty
of bed!"

"I have not been so long in my bed, Major, as you suppose. To tell the
truth, I have been up all night, reading."

Major Fitz-David lifted his well-painted eyebrows in polite surprise.

"What is the happy book which has interested you so deeply?" he asked.

"The book," I answered, "is the Trial of my husband for the murder of
his first wife."

"Don't mention that horrid book!" he exclaimed. "Don't speak of
that dreadful subject! What have beauty and grace to do with Trials,
Poisonings, Horrors? Why, my charming friend, profane your lips by
talking of such things? Why frighten away the Loves and the Graces that
lie hid in your smile. Humor an old fellow who adores the Loves and the
Graces, and who asks nothing better than to sun himself in your smiles.
Luncheon is ready. Let us be cheerful. Let us laugh and lunch."

He led me to the table, and filled my plate and my glass with the air of
a man who considered himself to be engaged in one of the most important
occupations of his life. Benjamin kept the conversation going in the
interval.

"Major Fitz-David brings you some news, my dear," he said. "Your
mother-in-law, Mrs. Macallan, is coming here to see you to-day."

My mother-in-law coming to see me! I turned eagerly to the Major for
further information.

"Has Mrs. Macallan heard anything of my husband?" I asked. "Is she
coming here to tell me about him?"

"She has heard from him, I believe," said the Major, "and she has also
heard from your uncle the vicar. Our excellent Starkweather has written
to her--to what purpose I have not been informed. I only know that on
receipt of his letter she has decided on paying you a visit. I met the
old lady last night at a party, and I tried hard to discover whether she
were coming to you as your friend or your enemy. My powers of persuasion
were completely thrown away on her. The fact is," said the Major,
speaking in the character of a youth of five-and-twenty mak