s case," said he. "There's ginger enough in an
ordinary policeman to make three of you. But I'm not going to let you
lose Ellen Berstoun if I can help it. Run away now and complain to your
auntie."

In pointed silence Andrew availed himself of this permission, while his
father remained to light a cigar and meditate upon the disadvantages of
unalloyed respectability. A fine example in many ways Andrew undoubtedly
was, just as he trusted he had been himself; but he showed up poorly
when it came to love-making. He was too old for his age; that was the
trouble with Andrew. Now that he came to think of it, there was
something uncompanionable in elderly people. It was surprising he had
not noticed it before, but lately it had occurred to him forcibly. A
brisk young fellow like Frank, a pretty girl like Jean--one felt more in
touch with them. Perhaps they were a trifle on the juvenile side: the
choicest, the most sympathetic period of life was undoubtedly that
attained by--Mr. Walkingshaw jumped up, laid down his cigar, and started
for the drawing-room. What a fine woman Madge was!

He spent a delightful hour in the ladies' society. The obliging widow
was easily prevailed upon to gratify a passion he had lately developed
for tuneful and romantic melody, and she thrummed through five waltzes
and the whole of two comic operas, while he sat on the sofa holding
Jean's hand and exchanging confidential smiles. Jean was in the seventh
heaven of happiness; the widow enthusiastically approved of the
symptoms; and the only critic present appeared to be his exemplary
sister. She listened to the concert with a bleak face, and regarded the
dalliance on the sofa out of a troubled and uncomprehending eye.

Aglow with sentiments, which from being mere amorphous ecstasies were
rapidly developing into shapely visions of black eyes and well-nourished
contours, Mr. Walkingshaw bade good-night to the ladies and settled
himself comfortably in his easy-chair before a friendly fire and in
company with a fragrant pipe. How delicious his tobacco tasted!
Evidently this last tin must be of a superior quality. He resolved that
he should insist on being supplied with the same high-class variety in
future.

At this point his pleasant reverie was interrupted by the entrance of
Frank, just returned from dining with a friend. His father greeted him
genially.

"Well, my boy, help yourself to a drink and light your pipe."

Frank glanced at him suspiciousl