world has naturally
stood still during her absence, and she hasn't a moment to spare for
the ordinary pleasures of life. Moral, will you look her up to-morrow?"

Jimmy then turned to Mrs. Reynolds, who was sitting with a deprecatory
expression on her face, while Colonel Faversham, seeing an opportunity
to cross the room to Bridget, gripped the arms of his chair preparatory
to rising.

"Ah, Jimmy!" he said. "I'm glad to see you!"

"Yes, but please don't get up, colonel," returned Jimmy, looking
sympathetically at his host's leg. "A little stiff at the joint?
Rheumatism, I suppose?"

"Nothing of the sort," said Colonel Faversham, wincing, as he stood
erect. "I never felt better in my life."

"In fact," suggested Carrissima, "father has a growing pain."

"I have not any pain in my body," cried the colonel, devoutly wishing
he had not. "I will walk you twenty miles any day you like."

"Walking," said Jimmy, "is becoming a lost art. We all choose some
other mode of locomotion when we can. If we don't fly, we motor, and
before long it will be quite customary to skate on the pavement."

"Jimmy, your presence is demoralizing," answered Carrissima. "Mrs.
Reynolds was discussing the influence of democracy on the fine arts,
and now you have brought us down to frivolity."

"I don't think you know Miss Rosser," said Colonel Faversham, drawing
nearer to the empty chair by Bridget's side. "Mr. Clynesworth--Miss
Rosser."

The colonel would have given something to avoid this presentation, but
since Jimmy had unfortunately come, he would not allow Bridget to be
left out in the cold. As Jimmy bowed, he coolly took the chair which
would have already been occupied, if caution and time had not been
desirable this afternoon in Colonel Faversham's movements.

"I should have known you anywhere," said Bridget, without the least
hesitation. "Your photograph," she explained, as Mrs. Reynolds changed
her position to engage her host's attention, "has represented you
during your absence. Carrissima was kind enough to fill in the
colours."

"It's to be hoped she laid them on with a trowel," was the answer, "and
gave me a better character than I deserve."

"Don't you deserve a good one?"

"Oh well, I am not going to give myself away," said Jimmy. "Anyhow,
I'm far from deserving this good fortune."

Her cheerful laugh brought Colonel Faversham's anxious eyes to her
face, and he began to realize the disadvantages of a secr