Lippa

ng alone with Dalrymple, but Jimmy gets uneasy and on saying Good-night adds

, and flushes a little, that he ponders for some time on what she can have to tell him

eally cannot stay and talk to you to-night, and yo

intention of seeking her downy couch, she envelopes herself in a loose wrapper and drawing an armch

if he knew all he would laugh at her fears, and marrying her, would in a few years have to consign his wife to a lunatic asylum; it will be the right thing not to let him have a chance of marrying her; and coming to this conclusion, she tries to forget the man she loves, and her

close, and even after she is asleep sobs check her breathing. Dear, good little heart it is always hardest to

or three loud yawns he pulls himself together, and at length attired in a faultless suit he opens his door. It is still what he calls early, (being half-past eight) and he meets no one as he descends

moment and then gazing steadily at the carpet; t

ng, 'Lippa, dearest, what is the matter?' There is an amount of concern in his voice that is almost too much for her,

ctly calm voice, 'if you remember I told you

I came down so early; but why hav

yesterday,' says she, 'I-er-I think I led

owards her, 'you have not c

ilippa clasping her hand

?' he asks in a

this ve

s voice is cold and studiously polite. 'Is it money,-I am not very well

t you thought, it is a good thing we

s her in his arms. 'Oh my dearest,' he says,

it is only for a second, and then freeing herself from his em

immy, a world of sorrow

t away the man she loves, the one man who is 'her world of all the men'; sent him away thinking she is cruel and mercenary. Sh

Chubby. Dalrymple suddenly discovers that it is absolutely necessary for him

ing-class. Philippa is forbidden by Mabel to put her nose out of doors, who t

zing helplessly round on the remaining gu

answers Lippa, longing for so

be nice,' says Miss Appleby, 'nothin

s Helmdon. 'I say Tommy, I'm sure yo

, with light hair parted down the

like,' he re

ers. 'Now, ladies and gentlemen,' he begins having opened the piano, 'I give you

and on the earliest opportunit

begin and sings a dear little

rn next,' says Paul,

ery small nose, sings with an air of sweet simplicity-'Because m

feels he has guessed that something is up, so tries to mislead him by singing a merry son

w that you are just made for that kind of musi

r it is more than I have done myself; but I'm afraid the sameness would bore me. If I do anything

ated on one of the deep window sills, a book in her hand, but her eyes are fixed on the distant horizon, wher

hear Paul come. He goes up to where s

replies, 'Nothing,' while a t

ersists, 'why did Jim

he must get back to the Bar

I believe th

houldn

by her side, 'you told me yesterday you had promised to marry hi

asively, 'but I suppose I had better tell you that I am not going to marry Mr

ot?' h

he has not much to live on, and-there are c

rcumstances prevent him fr

lies Lippa coldly, 'and I will beg you will mention to n

lrymple to-night,' s

ton rises hastily. 'I think it would be extremel

walks quickly out of the room, rushes up to her own, and flinging herself on the bed gives way to tears. 'Oh dear, oh dear,' s

au

bed is surprised at h

he re

you something,

and all the other men are ju

ng-room, from whence the voice issues, a solitary

he exclaim

ed you this afternoon, and I wanted

in, but really you know y

tterly miserable, and the tears that she has tried to keep back break forth, a

says very gently, 'there is something very

I told him to go, but

op crying and go to bed at once,

e, meekly. 'But you [so

t tell

e not vexe

ould I be.

tle face she turns to him, t

ed her to throw Jimmy over. Couldn't have been better off as regards a husband. Money! as

aith, his all, only to be abused; the woman who has blighted his life. Oh! it is a strange world. It is like a puzzle that everyone tries to make, but does not

o-day, and find

see be far w

eer beyond wit