confidence in this matter. Of
course," I added magnanimously, "it will be perfectly proper for
you to signify to Miss Kinglake that you are aware of our little
secret as that will put us all on a better basis and lead to no
misunderstandings. It would be awkward to play at cross purposes,
and I should be extremely sorry, my dear boy, to think that I had
withheld anything from you, for you have always enjoyed my
fullest trust."

Whatever he may have thought, his manner betrayed no unusual
interest. "I congratulate you," he replied very calmly.

Now that so perfect an understanding existed in the immediate
family circle, I gave myself no further uneasiness. I was truly
rejoiced to notice that Frederick was deferentially polite to
Phyllis, and I encouraged him to show her those polite attentions
which my betrothed would reasonably expect from my nephew. And at
times I even insisted that he should represent me at certain
gatherings of Phyllis's friends, who were too young and
frivolous to claim my serious attention. When he protested, and
pleaded headache, business, or other sign of disinclination, I
rallied him good-humoredly on his lack of gallantry.

"Nonsense, my boy," I argued; "a young fellow of your spirit
should be only too glad to go out with a pretty girl and enjoy
himself. You certainly would not deprive Phyllis of an evening's
pleasure because your uncle has a stiff knee which interferes
with his dancing, and--confound it, you know they never let me
smoke at these frolics. Come now, be a good fellow and show the
proper family impulse."

As they went off together I looked at them admiringly and rather
fancied that I saw in them a suggestion of what Sylvia and I had
been when we made the rounds of the birthday parties. For it is
fair to confess that the image of Sylvia did not infrequently
rise before me, and I constantly saw in Phyllis the replica of
her adorable mother. In my happiest moments I spoke of this
suggestion to Phyllis, and continued to regale her with fragments
of my early life associated with her family. At first I thought
that the girl was somewhat piqued, fearing that Frederick was
thrust upon her, although she admitted that he was good-looking,
polite, and danced extremely well, but I succeeded in convincing
her that true love should not be gauged by the low standards of
hot-night dancing, and that all philosophers agree that the
purest affection springs from quiet contemplation, such as I