w as if the landscape were especially
unsatisfactory this time.

"Selfish little beasts!" exclaimed Jane, making a miniature whirlwind
with her skirts as she came in. "Charlie is a perfect little fiend. He
spends all his time thinking how he can annoy me. Ugh! He's just like
his father."

"Thank you, my dear," said Sir Charles from the doorway.

Jane laughed. "I knew you were there," she said. "Where's Gertrude?"

"She has gone out," said Sir Charles.

"Nonsense! She has only just come in from driving with me."

"I do not know what you mean by nonsense," said Sir Charles, chafing.
"I saw her walking along the Riverside Road. I was in the village road,
and she did not see me. She seemed in a hurry."

"I met her on the stairs and spoke to her," said Agatha, "but she didn't
hear me."

"I hope she is not going to throw herself into the river," said Jane.
Then, turning to her husband, she added: "Have you heard the news?"

"The only news I have heard is from this paper," said Sir Charles,
taking out a journal and flinging it on the table. "There is a paragraph
in it stating that I have joined some infernal Socialistic league, and
I am told that there is an article in the 'Times' on the spread of
Socialism, in which my name is mentioned. This is all due to Trefusis;
and I think he has played me a most dishonorable trick. I will tell him
so, too, when next I see him."

"You had better be careful what you say of him before Agatha," said
Jane. "Oh, you need not be alarmed, Agatha; I know all about it. He told
us in the library. We went out this morning--Gertrude and I--and when we
came back we found Mr. Trefusis and Agatha talking very lovingly to one
another on the conservatory steps, newly engaged."

"Indeed!" said Sir Charles, disconcerted and displeased, but trying to
smile. "I may then congratulate you, Miss Wylie?"

"You need not," said Agatha, keeping her countenance as well as she
could. "It was only a joke. At least it came about in a jest. He has no
right to say that we are engaged."

"Stuff and nonsense," said Jane. "That won't do, Agatha. He has gone off
to telegraph to his solicitor. He is quite in earnest."

"I am a great fool," said Agatha, sitting down and twisting her hands
perplexedly. "I believe I said something; but I really did not intend
to. He surprised me into speaking before I knew what I was saying. A
pretty mess I have got myself into!"

"I am glad you have been outwitted at last," sa