e astounded at their own
cleverness."

"It must be a very--a very agreeable sensation. I have never been the
least little bit surprised at mine. I tried to work, too, but I didn't
get on well. You two girls make me ashamed of myself, but I think
sometimes that I was never meant to be a public character," sighed Hope,
wrinkling her forehead in her pretty, wistful fashion. "I don't seem to
have the faculty of earning money."

"Because nature intended some one else to make it for you, darling! You
are one of the dear, frightened, humble little creatures who need a big
strong man to stand between them and the world. I do hope you will
marry, Hope! Do, please, the first chance you get. You'd be ever so
much happier, and it would be so agreeable for us. Marry a rich man who
lives in the country, and send us hampers every week!" cried
unsuspecting Madge. It seemed natural enough to the others that Hope
should blush at the suggestion; only Theo understood the meaning of that
blush, and the train of thought which suggested the reply.

"I think I shall go to see Avice this afternoon. I promised Steve that
I would call before the end of the week if we had no news. He doesn't
want uncle to hear about Barney in town; he might be annoyed that we had
not told him ourselves."

When Hope saw her aunt's face, however, she knew at a glance that she
was too late with her news, and sat meekly listening to the tirade which
followed, thankful that she was the listener instead of Philippa. Her
gentleness was her best weapon, however; for, having said her say, Mrs
Loftus began to soften and to regret having spoken so strongly.
Argument or contradiction would have incensed her still further; but how
could one go on scolding a pretty, timid creature who merely sat still
and looked miserable? She paused, frowned, and finally asked the amount
of the debts which Barney had left behind. "Everything, I mean--the
whole sum for which you are liable."

"I think, perhaps--I'm afraid nearly t-twenty pounds!"

The gasp with which Hope replied was for the magnitude of the sum
mentioned; the echoing gasp from the other side of the fireplace was for
an exactly opposite reason.

"Only twenty pounds!" cried Avice; "the price of a gown! The poor boy
ran away for that! Hope dear, I will pay it myself; I will give it to
you this afternoon before you go. You sha'n't be worried about it any
more."

"It is paid already, dear. Steve saw to