drunkard,
whining when sober, and a furious beast when drunk. I managed all the
house, and looked after my little daughter. Lemuel led me a dog's life,
and we quarrelled incessantly. At length, when Maud was old enough to be
my companion, Lemuel ran away. I kept on 'The Red Pig,' and waited for
him to return. But he never came back, and for over twenty years I heard
nothing of him till I saw the hand-bills and his portrait, and heard of
his death. Then I came to see Mr. Pash, and the rest you know."

"But why did he run away?" asked Paul.

"I suppose he grew weary of the life and the way I detested him," was
her reply. "I don't wonder he ran away. But there, I have told you all,
so make what you can of it. Tell Miss Norman of my offer, and make her
see the wisdom of accepting it. And now"--she rose, and held out her
hand--"I must run away. You will call and see us? Mr. Hay will give you
the address."

"What's that," said Hay, leaving the card-table, "does Beecot want your
address? Certainly." He went to a table and scribbled on a card. "There
you are. Hunter Street, Kensington, No. 32A. Do come, Beecot. I hope
soon to call on your services to be my best man," and he cast a coldly
loving look on Maud, who simply smiled as usual.

By this time the card-party had broken up. Maud had lost a few pounds,
and Lord George a great deal. But Miss Qian and Hay had won.

"What luck," groaned the young lord. "Everything seems to go wrong with
me."

"Stop and we'll try another game when the ladies have gone," suggested
Hay, his impassive face lighting up, "then Beecot--"

"I must go," said the young gentleman, who did not wish to be called
upon as a witness in a possible card scandal.

"And I'll go too," said Lord George. "Whenever I play with you, Hay, I
always seem to lose."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Grexon, fiercely.

"Oh, he doesn't mean anything," said Miss Qian, sweetly, and putting her
cloak round her. "Mr. Beecot, just take me to my cab."

"I'll take you to your carriage," said Hay, offering an arm to Mrs.
Krill, which she accepted graciously.

Lord George followed, grumbling, with the ever-smiling Maud. Miss Qian
skipped into a hansom, and offered Paul a drive back to town which he
refused. As the cab was driving off she bent down and whispered, "Be
careful," with a side-glance at Hay.

Paul laughed. Everyone seemed to doubt Hay. But that gentleman handed
Mrs. Krill and her daughter into their carria