rt, apparently engaged with her
embroidery-frame, but in reality too deeply sunk in thought to notice
the bright tints before her. Norwood entered listlessly, and strolling
across the room, took a place beside her. She moved slightly as he drew
forward his chair, and, then, as she drew back her flounce, Norwood
saw that it was of deep black lace. He coolly took out his pocket-book
wherein he had deposited the torn fragment, and, regarding it with
attention, saw that it perfectly corresponded with the dress. So
leisurely and with such circumspection did he proceed that several
minutes elapsed before he looked up.

"You are meditative, my Lord, to-night," said Kate, at last, making
an effort to relieve an awkward situation; "what are you thinking of,
pray?"

"Admiring your dress, Miss Dalton, which strikes me as singularly
beautiful and becoming."

"Great praise this, from such an acknowledged judge as Lord Norwood,"
said she, smiling.

"I prefer it to antique lace, which in general is too heavy and cumbrous
for my taste; I like these fine and delicate tissues, so frail and
gossamer-like, not but their frailty, like all other frailty, incurs
occasionally a heavy penalty; as here, for instance, you see this has
been torn."

"So it has," said Kate, with confusion, "and I never noticed it. What a
quick eye you must have, my Lord!"

"And a sharp ear, too, Miss Dalton," said he, significantly; "in fact,
I am one of those people whose every-day faculties do duty for what in
others goes by the name of cleverness. It 's a great pity," said he,
looking down at the dress; "you see, Miss Dalton, what a false step can
do."

"And yet I cannot remember when this occurred," said she, assuming to
misunderstand his equivocal expression.

"Not recall it, not a clew to the mishap?" asked he, shrewdly.

"None," said she, blushing at the pertinacity with which he clung to the
theme; "but it's of no consequence."

"Would Miss Dalton think it very singular if I should be able to assist
her memory? Would she accept the service as kindly as it was proffered,
too?"

"Really, my Lord, you begin to speak in riddles," said she, more than
ever piqued at his persistence.

"And yet," said he, following out the thread of his own thoughts, "I am
assuredly as safe a counsellor as Albert Jekyl."

Kate grew deadly pale, but never replied to this speech.

"And certainly," resumed he, "the man who speaks in his own name should
ever take pre