emoralized by the women.

Mr. Cosway's bitterest enemy could not have denied that he was a
handsome, well-bred, unassuming man. No mystery of any sort attached
to him. He had adopted the Navy as a profession--had grown weary of it
after a few years' service--and now lived on the moderate income left
to him, after the death of his parents. Out of this unpromising material
the lively imaginations of the women built up a romance. The men only
noticed that Mr. Cosway was rather silent and thoughtful; that he was
not ready with his laugh; and that he had a fancy for taking long walks
by himself. Harmless peculiarities, surely? And yet, they excited the
curiosity of the women as signs of a mystery in Mr. Cosway's past life,
in which some beloved object unknown must have played a chief part.

As a matter of course, the influence of the sex was tried, under every
indirect and delicate form of approach, to induce Mr. Cosway to open
his heart, and tell the tale of his sorrows. With perfect courtesy, he
baffled curiosity, and kept his supposed secret to himself. The most
beautiful girl in the house was ready to offer herself and her fortune
as consolations, if this impenetrable bachelor would only have taken her
into his confidence. He smiled sadly, and changed the subject.

Defeated so far, the women accepted the next alternative.

One of the guests staying in the house was Mr. Cosway's intimate
friend--formerly his brother-officer on board ship. This gentleman was
now subjected to the delicately directed system of investigation which
had failed with his friend. With unruffled composure he referred the
ladies, one after another, to Mr. Cosway. His name was Stone. The ladies
decided that his nature was worthy of his name.

The last resource left to our fair friends was to rouse the dormant
interest of the men, and to trust to the confidential intercourse of the
smoking-room for the enlightenment which they had failed to obtain by
other means.

In the accomplishment of this purpose, the degree of success which
rewarded their efforts was due to a favoring state of affairs in the
house. The shooting was not good for much; the billiard-table was under
repair; and there were but two really skilled whist-players among the
guests. In the atmosphere of dullness thus engendered, the men not only
caught the infection of the women's curiosity, but were even ready to
listen to the gossip of the servants' hall, repeated to their mistresse