ear a good deal of them. De Courcy's wife was a
friend of mine. This one is De Courcy, the other is Romaine, and there
was one who was considered a sort of black sheep and broke with the
family altogether. They don't know where he is and don't care to know, I
suppose. They have their own views of the matter. Oh, yes; I know them
very well, in a way."

When questioned by enthusiasts, she was obliged to confess that the hero
of the hour was bountifully supplied with all outward gifts of nature,
was to be envied his charm of manner and the air of romance surrounding
him, though, in admitting this, she added a little comment not generally
approved of.

"It's a little of the Troubadour order," she said; "but I dare say no
woman would deny that it is rather taking. I don't deny it, it is
taking--if you don't go below the surface."

Never was a man so popular as the Colonel, and never a man so missed as
he on the days of his indisposition. He had such days when he did not
leave his room and his negro was kept busy attending to his wants. The
nature of his attacks was not definitely understood, but after them he
always appeared wearing an interesting air of languor and melancholy, and
was more admired than ever.

"The boy seems to feel it very much," the lady remarked. "He always looks
so uneasy and anxious, and never goes away from the house at all. I
suppose they are very fond of each other."

"I dare say he does feel it very much," said Mrs. Marvin with her
reserved little smile. "He is De Willoughby enough for that."

It was not agreed to that he inherited his father's grace of manner
however. He was a definitely unamiable boy, if one might judge from
appearances. He always wore a dark little scowl, as if he were either on
the point of falling into a secret rage or making his way out of one;
instead of allowing himself to be admired and made a pet of, he showed an
unnatural preference for prowling around the grounds and galleries alone,
sometimes sitting in corners and professing to read, but generally
appearing to be meditating resentfully upon his wrongs in a manner which
in a less handsome boy would have been decidedly unpleasant. Even Mrs.
Marvin's advances did not meet with any show of cordiality, though it was
allowed that he appeared less averse to her society than to that of any
other woman, including the half dozen belles and beauties who would have
enjoyed his boyish admiration greatly.

"I knew your mothe