h, and it's there for him, and I keep a first-rate cook. But as I
said to him only to-day, he doesn't give himself a chance. Always
slaving and worrying for someone else, particularly for the boy, even
now when he is getting quite big, and able to do for himself. It's
wonderful how clever blind people become! Of course we all want to be
helpful, but, as I say, there _is_ a medium course, and everyone notices
how Frank has altered these last years. If you remember he used to be
quite stout--"

"Please, Marion! Spare my blushes. I am perfectly well, and my
greatest pleasure is looking after the boy." Francis Manning spoke with
quiet self-possession, nevertheless his hearers divined a hidden wound,
and unanimously forbore from comment, but those who had known the man
fifteen years before, marvelled at the change which had come over his
whole personality. It was more than a change; it was a transfiguration.
What trumpet-call had sounded in this man's ears to rouse him from his
sleep?

Mrs Ingram looked around and met the glance of John Malham,
millionaire, leaning back in his chair with his head supported on his
hand. Of all the men in the room he looked the most worn and exhausted,
and she wondered if perchance at this very moment his tired brain was
evolving another Titan scheme by which fresh coffers could be added to
his store. Her smile had more of pity than envy as she addressed him:

"Mr Malham, it is unnecessary to ask your report! All the world knows
how you have succeeded. It only remains for your old friends to
congratulate you, and wish you a continuance of your success."

"Thanks very much, Mrs Ingram. It is a great pleasure to be here, and
to meet you all again. I only wish I could have managed to make a
longer stay."

Malham was obviously ill at ease, obviously annoyed when his wife took
up the strain, and in her flat voice proceeded to enlarge on her
husband's marvellous powers. With the obvious intention of avoiding the
ordeal he bent forward towards Juliet, and pointing to a miniature which
hung from her neck, said in a low voice, "Is that one of the six? The
little girl? May I see?"

Juliet beamed broadly as she held out the pearl-rimmed case containing a
pretty round young face. "And you? How many have you?"

"None," he said shortly, and Juliet hurried to retrieve her mistake.

"Yes. That's the girl. A great pet, of course. I called her Celia.
Her father thought it too fan