ld return
immediately after the Castle balls.'

'And now that it is all over, tell me what you think of the Castle. Did
it come up to your expectations?'

'I don't know that I think much about the matter. I am not so fond of
dancing as you are.'

'Oh, goodness me, goodness me, how ill I do feel,' said May, as she
started and yawned in a way that betokened the nervous lassitude she was
suffering from.

'Perhaps you had better see the doctor,' said Alice significantly.

'I'm worried. Fred hasn't been as nice lately as he used to be.'

'What has he done?'

'Last night he promised to meet me in the Square, and he wrote to say he
couldn't come, that he was forced to go and see an important customer
about some horses.'

'Perhaps he had.'

'I dare say he had, but what of that? It does not make it any less
disagreeable for me to be disappointed.'

'How cross you are, May! I came out on purpose to talk to you on this
very subject. I hope you won't be angry, but I think it is my duty to
tell you that people are beginning to talk about you.'

'And what do they say?'

'Well, they say many unpleasant things; you know how ill-natured people
are.'

'Yes, but what do they say?'

'They say you are desperately in love with Fred Scully.'

'Supposing I were; is there any very great harm in that?'

'I only want to put you on your guard, May dear; and since I have come
here for the purpose of speaking out, I had better do so, however
unpleasant it may be; and I must say that you often forget yourself when
he is in the room, and by your whole manner betray your feelings. You
look at him--'

'You needn't talk. Now that Harding has left town, these moral
reflections come very easy to you!'

Alice blushed a little; she trembled, and pursuing her advantage, May
said:

'Oh, yes; I have watched you in the Castle sitting out dances; and when
girls like you butter! 'Pon my word, it was painful to look at you.'

'Mr. Harding and I talked merely of books and pictures.'

'If you come here to insinuate that Fred and I are in the habit of
indulging in improper conversation. . . . I didn't expect this from you. I
shan't stop another moment. I shan't speak to you again.'

Picking up her novel, and deaf to all explanations, May walked haughtily
out of the room. Alice would have given much to help; and, her heart
filled with gentle disappointment, she returned home. The evening was
spent in packing; and next morning at dawn, look