he morning-room with her two daughters
when the clergyman was announced.

Lady Eleanor and Lady Constance More were like each other, being both
agreeable-looking, simple, and yet elegant. They seemed about the same
age, and were certainly past their first youth; still they looked
bright and cheerful, and evidently troubled themselves but little about
the advancing years. Lady Waterham was somewhat frigid in her manner,
and as she slightly rose and pointed Mr. Smith to a chair, he became
conscious that he had forgotten the exact words in which he had
intended to commence the conversation. This led to a slight pause, but
having plenty to say, he soon found a way to begin.

"I have ventured to call on your ladyship about two young persons in
whom I am deeply interested, and into whose parentage I am making
inquiries. The story is a romantic one, and will take some little time
to relate----" He was brought to a sudden pause by the cold, inquiring
look of Lady Waterham.

"But I ought to tell your ladyship how I come to call on you."

"Thank you, sir," said her ladyship, drily--she was beginning to
suspect that her husband had been right.

"Well, the fact is," continued Mr. Smith, "the only clue to identity
which we have is this watch, which it appears was purchased by you some
twenty-three years ago at Mr. Turnwell's in Leeds."

Her ladyship was not like her daughters, and scarcely quite relished
being reminded of what happened twenty-three years ago. She took the
watch coldly, and, after looking at it a moment, said--

"Really, sir, I think there must be some mistake. I remember nothing
about this watch. I am sure it was never mine, nor have any of us lost
a watch. I am sorry you should have had so much trouble."

"Excuse me, your ladyship, but it seems almost certain that the watch
was bought on your account. I have seen the entry in Messrs.
Turnwell's books, from which this is a copy."

"This is very strange," said Lady Waterham, as she read the memorandum.
"L7 10s. it cost, I see."

"When was it, mamma?" asked Lady Eleanor, looking up for the first time.

"The 18th of April, 185--."

"O mamma, I know! It must be the watch we gave to dear Elsie before
she was married. You remember the marriage was in May, and that was
the year I am sure. I was just fourteen."

"Fourteen and twenty-three are thirty-seven," said the Rev. Cooper
Smith to himself, as he looked at the still fresh and eager face.