lips took a sullen droop. The smiles faded away, and it
was a very blank, dejected edition of Miss Lilias Rendell who looked up
at last, to meet her mother's glance.

"Well, what is it, dear? You seem troubled. No bad news, I hope?"

"Oh no--nothing serious, at least. Ned seems worried. Things don't go
smoothly in the new Works, and he has such high-flown ideas. It seems
to me he makes troubles, by expecting every one else to be as quixotic
as himself. He is not likely to find high-flown notions among ordinary
business men!"

"And since when, my dear, have you become acquainted with the feelings
of business men?" inquired Mrs Rendell sharply; then, in a softer tone,
"My dear child, I implore you not to begin your engagement to Ned by
discouraging his highest motives. Men, as a rule, are not overburdened
with sentiment, and it is the duty of a wife to encourage all that is
good and generous. You would be grieved, I am sure, to feel that your
influence had a sordid or worldly direction!"

"Oh, mother!" protested Lilias, shocked beyond words at the possibility
of such a charge, as we are all shocked when our secret thoughts are put
into words, and we see them before us in all their naked hideousness.
"Oh, mother, as if I could do anything so dreadful. Ned says I am his
good angel; of course, of course, I want him to be good; but it is
depressing, isn't it, when as soon as one gets engaged business begins
to go wrong, and every letter brings news of some fresh worry or
unpleasantness? It is enough to make one feel melancholy!"

"Yes, dear, it is, and I'm sorry for you. It is a disappointment to us
all to hear that Ned is so unhappy in his new position, for it seemed to
promise so well six months ago. Father is anxious to have a talk with
him on the subject, and see if he can help to smooth the way, so the
sooner he can come the better it will be. Does he make any suggestion
in his letter as to the date that will suit him best?"

"Y-es!" said Lilias; and her face clouded once more. "He wants to come
on the twentieth; and it is so awkward, for the Duckworths want me to go
to them for that very week. They are having a tennis party, and their
first day on the river, and several teas and dinners. It would be such
a delightful week! I thought, perhaps, Ned might put off his visit
until June. Maud would be home by that time, and they would both be
sorry to miss each other if he came earlier."

Mrs Rendell