es first
informed him that another person was in the room. In the quietest
possible way the introduction was performed, and all seated themselves.

Dressed, like the hostess, in black, and without ornaments of any kind
save a silver buckle at her waist, Rhoda seemed to have endeavoured to
liken herself to the suggestion of her name by the excessive plainness
with which she had arranged her hair; its tight smoothness was nothing
like so becoming as the mode she usually adopted, and it made her look
older. Whether by accident or design, she took an upright chair, and
sat upon it in a stiff attitude. Finding it difficult to suspect Rhoda
of shyness, Miss Barfoot once or twice glanced at her with curiosity.
For settled conversation there was no time; a servant announced dinner
almost immediately.

'There shall be no forms, cousin Everard,' said the hostess. 'Please to
follow us.'

Doing so, Everard examined Miss Nunn's figure, which in its way was
strong and shapely as his own. A motion of his lips indicated amused
approval, but at once he commanded himself, and entered the dining-room
with exemplary gravity. Naturally, he sat opposite Rhoda, and his eyes
often skimmed her face; when she spoke, which was very seldom, he gazed
at her with close attention.

During the first part of the meal, Miss Barfoot questioned her relative
concerning his Oriental experiences. Everard spoke of them in a light,
agreeable way, avoiding the tone of instruction, and, in short, giving
evidence of good taste. Rhoda listened with a look of civil interest,
but asked no question, and smiled only when it was unavoidable.
Presently the talk turned to things of home.

'Have you heard of your friend Mr. Poppleton?' the hostess asked.

'Poppleton? Nothing whatever. I should like to see him.'

'I'm sorry to tell you he is in a lunatic asylum.'

As Barfoot kept the silence of astonishment, his cousin went on to tell
him that the unhappy man seemed to have lost his wits among business
troubles.

'Yet I should have suggested another explanation,' remarked the young
man, in his most discreet tone, 'You never met Mrs. Poppleton?'

Seeing that Miss Nunn had looked up with interest, he addressed himself
to her.

'My friend Poppleton was one of the most delightful men--perhaps the
best and kindest I ever knew, and so overflowing with natural wit and
humour that there was no resisting his cheerful influence. To the
amazement of every one who knew h