bitter moments I felt it was such a relief to
mock at people."

"Never mind all that. Let bygones be bygones. I wish I could have
served you better." And then, as he changed the subject, and spoke
feelingly about the miracle of her husband's restoration, Mrs. Cheyne
looked at him rather wistfully.

"Oh, how good you are!" she said, softly. "Do you know, the world
seems full of good people to me now; and yet once it appeared too bad
a place for any one to live in. We create our own atmosphere,--at
least so Herbert tells me. But you are looking thin, Mr.
Drummond,--thin and pale. You must be working too hard."

"Oh, as to that, hard work never hurts any one," he replied,
carelessly; but there was something forced in his tone.

Phillis, who had been sitting apart quite silently, raised her eyes
involuntarily from her work. Was it her fancy, or had some undefinable
change passed over him? They had seen him so little of late. Since all
this had happened at the White House he had called once or twice; and
once Nan had been there, and he had spoken to her much as usual. No
one would have detected any difference in his manner, except that he
was a little grave and preoccupied. Nan had not noticed anything; but
then she was singularly blind in such matters. Had she not vaguely
hinted that his visits were on Phillis's account?--that mere hint
conveying exquisite pain to Phillis.

Now, as she stole a glance at him, the conviction was strong within
her that the arrow had gone deep. He certainly looked a little thin
and care-worn, and something of a young man's vigor and hopefulness
seemed temporarily impaired. But, as it happened, that girlish
scrutiny was not unperceived by Archie. In a moment he was on the
alert. His eyes challenged hers boldly, and it was Phillis who flushed
and looked conscious.

It was as though he said to her, "Ah! you think you know all about it.
But you need not trouble yourself to be sorry for me; you do not know
what a man's strength can do. And I am determined to bear this by
myself, and to myself; for in silence there is power."

It certainly seemed as though a new strength had come to Archie. He
had been a man who was prone to speak much of his feelings. Irritable
and sensitive, he had demanded much sympathy from his womankind. His
was a nature that craved support in his work; but now, not even to
Grace, could he speak of this trouble that had befallen him.

Was it a trouble, after all, this