in human nature--not in Mollie's nature, at least--to resist
"showing off" a little after that momentous interview, and her sudden
familiarity with their host filled her companions with amazed curiosity.
Ruth had naturally heard all that had passed, and loyally stifled the
dawning of envy, but the young men were at a loss to account for what
seemed to them a mysterious change of favourites.

"Miss Mollie is outstripping us all! She has stepped into the position
of first favourite this last fortnight," Victor Druce said, as the four
young people sat on the terrace steps waiting for tea, a few days after
the visit to the vicarage.

He laughed as he spoke, but in a half-hearted manner, and tugged heavily
at the ends of his moustache, while he scrutinised Mollie's face through
half-closed lids. She beamed at him gaily in response, scorning mock-
modest protestations.

"Oh yes; we understand each other ever so much better! I have been
impressing upon him ever since our first meeting that I am really very
nice, and at last he is beginning to realise it for himself. He likes
me very much. He told me so with his very own lips; but he told me
something else, too."

"Yes! May we inquire--"

"Oh, certainly! It is quite as interesting to you as to me. Liking has
nothing whatever to do with the mysterious condition; he may quite
probably choose the one of us he cares for least, as his heir.
`Curiouser and curiouser,' as Alice said; isn't it?"

"Humph! There may be a chance for me, after all," said Jack lightly.

Victor knitted his brows, and tugged once more at his moustache.

"He said so definitely--you are sure you are not mistaken? Then how can
one possibly judge? That upsets all our theories at a blow."

"That's what I thought myself. I felt sure that it would be Ruth, but
now I am all at sea; but, for my own part, I'm glad. It is easier to be
good friends when there is nothing mercenary involved."

Mollie smiled her sunny, candid smile, and lay back in her deck-chair,
her hands clasped easily behind her head. It was delightful to laze in
the sunshine, to feel at peace with all the world. The present was so
all-absorbing that she had no time to worry her head about the future;
but Ruth sat by her side, with unseeing eyes bent upon her book, while
the swift thoughts surged through her brain.

She also had felt inwardly convinced that Uncle Bernard's choice would
fall upon herself, who was so truly a dau