rose again.

"Oh, are you going, Alice?"

"Why, yes," answered the girl. "Didn't you accept?"

"Why, yes," Mrs. Pasmer admitted. "But aren't you tired?"

"Oh, not in the least. I feel as fresh as I did this morning. Don't you
want me to go?"

"Oh yes, certainly, I want you to go--if you think you'll enjoy it."

"Enjoy it? Why, why shouldn't I enjoy it, mamma!"

"What are you thinking about? It's going to be the greatest kind of
fun."

"But do you think you ought to look at everything simply as fun?" asked
the mother, with unwonted didacticism.

"How everything? What are you thinking about, mamma?"

"Oh, nothing! I'm so glad you're going to wear that dress."

"Why, of course! It's my best. But what are you driving at, mamma?"

Mrs. Pasmer was really seeking in her daughter that comfort of a
distinct volition which she had failed to find in her husband, and she
wished to assure herself of it more and more, that she might share with
some one the responsibility which he had refused any part in.

"Nothing. But I'm glad you wish so much to go." The girl dropped her
hands and stared. "You must have enjoyed yourself to-day," she added, as
if that were an explanation.

"Of course I enjoyed myself! But what has that to do with my wanting to
go to-night?"

"Oh, nothing. But I hope, Alice, that there is one thing you have looked
fully in the face."

"What thing?" faltered the girl, and now showed herself unable to
confront it by dropping her eyes.

"Well, whatever you may have heard or seen, nobody else is in doubt
about it. What do you suppose has brought Mr. Mavering here!"

"I don't know." The denial not only confessed that she did know, but it
informed her mother that all was as yet tacit between the young people.

"Very well, then, I know," said Mrs. Pasmer; "and there is one thing
that you must know before long, Alice."

"What?" she asked faintly.

"Your own mind," said her mother. "I don't ask you what it is, and I
shall wait till you tell me. Of course I shouldn't have let him stay
here if I had objected--"

"O mamma!" murmured the girl, dyed with shame to have the facts so
boldly touched, but not, probably, too deeply displeased.

"Yes. And I know that he would never have thought of going into that
business if he had not expected--hoped--"

"Mamma!"

"And you ought to consider--"

"Oh, don't! don't! don't!" implored the girl.

"That's all," said her mother, turning from Alice, who had hi