of the latest information regarding Queen Harbundia.

Meanwhile the Arlington affair had got about the village. The twins in
all probability had been unable to keep their secret. Jane, the
dismissed, had looked in to give Mrs. Muldoon her version of Thursday
night's scene in the Arlington kitchen, and Mrs. Muldoon, with a sense
of things impending, may unconsciously have dropped hints.

The Marigolds met the Arlingtons on Sunday, after morning service, and
heard all about it. That is to say, they met Mr. Arlington and the
other children; Mrs. Arlington, with the two elder girls, having
already attended early communion at seven. Mrs. Marigold was a pretty,
fluffy, engaging little woman, ten years younger than her husband. She
could not have been altogether a fool, or she would not have known it.
Marigold, rising politician, ought, of course, to have married a woman
able to help him; but seems to have fallen in love with her a few miles
out of Brussels, over a convent wall. Mr. Arlington was not a regular
church-goer, but felt on this occasion that he owed it to his Maker.
He was still in love with his new wife. But not blindly. Later on a
guiding hand might be necessary. But first let the new seed get firmly
rooted. Marigold's engagements necessitated his returning to town on
Sunday afternoon, and Mrs. Marigold walked part of the way with him to
the station. On her way back across the fields she picked up the
Arlington twins. Later, she seems to have called in at the cottage and
spoken to Mrs. Muldoon about Jane, who, she had heard, was in want of a
place. A little before sunset she was seen by the Doctor climbing the
path to the Warren. Malvina that evening was missing for dinner. When
she returned she seemed pleased with herself.

VI. AND HOW IT WAS FINISHED TOO SOON.

Some days later--it may have been the next week; the exact date appears
to have got mislaid--Marigold, M.P., looked in on the Professor. They
talked about Tariff Reform, and then Marigold got up and made sure for
himself that the door was tight closed.

"You know my wife," he said. "We've been married six years, and
there's never been a cloud between us except one. Of course, she's not
brainy. That is, at least..."

The Professor jumped out of his chair.

"If you take my advice," he said, "you'll leave her alone." He spoke
with passion and conviction.

Marigold looked up.

"It's just what I wish to goodness I had done,"