ped at a hotel, and Sedgwick
had no difficulty in finding the Forbeses. He was presented to their
friends, the Brunswicks, and Mrs. Brunswick insisted that Sedgwick should
go straight to the hotel and bring his wife to her house.

He thanked the old lady warmly, but begged to be excused, saying they
could visit without that.

"Very well," said the old lady, "but I will certainly have my way in
another thing. You must go right off and tell your wife that an old
English woman up the street says she must waive ceremony and come right
here for dinner."

This was agreed to, and Sedgwick proceeded to do the errand.

The Sedgwicks were shown into the drawing-room of the Brunswicks, and had
been for a few minutes conversing when the door opened and a lady
entered.

A glance was enough to show that she was exceedingly beautiful. She was
perhaps twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age, not too tall, rounded
into full maturity, with a most strong but winsome face. Her eyes were
blue, her hair a golden brown and glossy, and when she spoke, her teeth
were revealed, perfect and white.

She was presented to the strangers as Mrs. Hazleton.

Dinner was shortly after announced, and after dinner, when the gentlemen
had returned to the drawing-room, Mrs. Brunswick asked Mrs. Hazleton to
sing. She did not say "Mrs. Hazleton," but just "Margaret."

Without making any excuses she went to the piano and asked Mrs. Brunswick
if she desired any particular piece. She answered:

"No, my dear, sing anything you feel like singing; only have it
old-fashioned and sweet, rather than scientific."

Strangely enough, she struck a few wailing chords on the instrument, and
then with a pathos and tenderness most touching, sang the old song
beginning:

"Could you come back to me, Douglas."

The effect was great on all the company, but to Sedgwick and his bride it
was intensely thrilling.

The eyes of Grace filled with tears, and Sedgwick, who was near,
unobserved by the rest, took and pressed her hand.

The company separated early, with an agreement for the ensuing day, which
was to fill it with rides, luncheon, a matinee for the ladies, and dinner
afterward.

So soon as Sedgwick and his bride were by themselves, Grace said: "Love,
did you ever hear anything half as sweet as that singing?"

"Yes," said Sedgwick, "I heard that same song once, more sacredly sung."

"O James!" Grace replied, and a celestial glow warmed her face.

"But tha