t interesting
and important in dumb-show till you heard what it was all about, and
then you felt ashamed of them. At times, I think, Kilian felt somewhat
ashamed too, and tried to talk a little to the others; but most of the
time he seemed to like it very well, and did not ask anything better
than the excellent woodcock on his plate, and the pretty young woman
by his side.

"By the way," said Sophie, when the meal was nearly over, "I had a
letter from Richard to-day."

"Ah!" said Kilian, with a momentary release from his admirer. "And when
is he coming home?"

I looked up with quick interest, and met Mrs. Hollenbeck's eyes, which
seemed to be always on me. Then I turned mine down the table
uncomfortably, and found Charlotte Benson looking at me too. I did not
know what I had done to be looked at, but wished they would look at
themselves and let me take my tea (or leave it alone) in peace.

"Not for two weeks yet," said his sister; "not for two whole weeks."

"How sorry I am," said Charlotte Benson.

"I think we are all sorry," said Henrietta the tranquil.

"Miss d'Estree confided to me that she'd be glad to see him," said
Kilian, cutting up another woodcock and looking at his plate.

"Indeed I shall," I said, with, a little sigh, not thinking so much
about them as feeling most earnestly what a difference his coming would
make, and how sure I should be of having at least one friend when he
got here.

"He seems to be having a delightful time," said his sister.

"I am glad to hear that," I said, interested. "Generally he finds it
such a bore. He doesn't seem to like to travel." I was rather startled
at the sound of my own voice and the attention of my audience; but I had
been betrayed into speaking, by my interest in the subject, and my
surprise at hearing he was having such a pleasant time.

"Ah!" she said, "don't you think he does? At any rate, he seems to be
enjoying this journey, and to be in no hurry to come back. I looked for
him last week."

Warned by my last experience, I said nothing in answer; and after a
moment Kilian said:

"Well, if Richard's having a good time, you may be sure he's made some
favorable negotiation, and comes home with good news for the firm.
That's his idea of a good time, you know."

"Ah!" said Sophie, gently, "that's his brother's idea of his idea. It
isn't mine."

Charlotte Benson seemed a little nettled at this, and exclaimed,

"Mrs. Hollenbeck! you are making us all u