ounter.

"Have you heard from Sybil lately?" she asked.

"Oh yes, she's still with old Lady Ramsbottom--enjoying herself to the
top of her bent, no doubt! You may be certain Sybil's having a
rattling good time! She always revels in illness. Goodness knows when
I shall see her again. Where are you bound for?" asked Jimmy, as
Carrissima showed signs of impatience.

"For home and tea," was the answer.

"Let me give you some," he urged, walking on by her side.

"No, thank you, Jimmy!"

"Carrissima," he said, with a glance at her profile, "what in the
world's the matter?"

"Why, nothing, of course!"

"Oh yes, there's something," he insisted. "I flatter myself I'm good
at reading faces, you know, and yours is always interesting--one never
has to read between the lines."

"Does that mean I wear my heart on my sleeve?" she demanded.

"Naturally you fancy you're inscrutable," said Jimmy, with a laugh.
"We all do. Come now, suppose you tell me what it is!"

"What would be the use--if there were anything?"

"You might enable me to do you a good turn! If I couldn't cure your
woe I could possibly make you forget it. Besides, people do tell me
things. You would be astonished to hear what confidences are poured
into my ears."

"Is that because you're sympathetic, or simply because you're rich?"
suggested Carrissima.

"What's that you're carrying?" he asked, with a shrug.

"A card-case," she replied.

"May I look?" he said, holding out his hand. After a momentary
hesitation she let him take it, whereupon he had no scruple about
opening the box. "Hullo! who is B. R.?" he demanded.

"Nobody you know, Jimmy!"

"Bridget Rosser!" he exclaimed. "You see what a memory I have. Is
to-day any special occasion?"

"Her birthday," said Carrissima.

"How old is she?"

"Twenty-three!"

"What a delectable age! The same as your own. But if you're taking
Miss Rosser a present," he added, "how is it you are on the way home?"

"Jimmy, you make me tired," said Carrissima. "I wish you wouldn't ask
so many questions."

"I can't help it," he replied. "An inquiring turn of mind, you know.
I haven't forgotten that Sybil is to pay your friend a visit directly
she gets back."

"Indeed, there is not the slightest necessity," said Carrissima.

"Hullo! so you've changed your mind?"

"I suppose that is allowable."

"Where does she live?" Jimmy persisted.

"Wild horses wouldn't drag her address from me!" cried C