all the time then. Surely his constant
companionship will atone for all you relinquish."

"Take off your coat and hat, Ethel, and sit down comfortably. I don't
know about Basil's constant companionship. Tete-a-tetes are tiresome
affairs sometimes."

"Yes," replied Ethel, as she half-reluctantly removed her coat, "they
were a bore undoubtedly even in Paradise. I wonder if Eve was tired of
Adam's conversation, and if that made her listen to--the other party."

"I am so glad you mentioned that circumstance, Ethel. I shall remember
it. Some day, no doubt, I shall have to remind Basil of the failure of
Adam to satisfy Eve's idea of perfect companionship." And Dora put her
pretty, jeweled hands up to her ears and laughed a low, musical laugh
with a childish note of malice running through it.

This pseudo-reconciliation was not conducive to pleasant intercourse.
After a short delay Ethel made an excuse for an early departure, and
Dora accepted it without her usual remonstrance. The day had been one
of continual friction, and Dora's irritable pettishness hard to bear,
because it had now lost that childish unreason which had always
induced Ethel's patience, for Dora had lately put away all her ignorant
immaturities. She had become a person of importance, and had realized
the fact. The young ladies of St. Jude's had made a pet of their revered
rector's love, and the elder ladies had also shown a marked interest in
her. The Dennings' fine house was now talked about and visited. Men of
high financial power respected Mr. Dan Denning, and advised the social
recognition of his family; and Mrs. Denning was not now found more
eccentric than many other of the new rich, who had been tolerated in
the ranks of the older plutocrats. Even Bryce had made the standing
he desired. He was seen with the richest and idlest young men, and was
invited to the best houses. Those fashionable women who had marriageable
daughters considered him not ineligible, and men temporarily
hampered for cash knew that they could find smiling assistance for a
consideration at Bryce's little office on William Street.

These and other points of reflection troubled Ethel, and she was
glad the long trial was nearing its end, for she knew quite well the
disagreement of that evening had done no good. Dora would certainly
repeat their conversation, in her own way of interpreting it, to both
Basil Stanhope and Fred Mostyn. More than likely both Bryce and Mrs.
Denning wo