owder on her nose, and a slight application of lip-salve.
"I can't let her go down such a figure," thought she, "though she is
dreadfully angry with me," and, seizing a comb, began silently to effect
a reformation in Coey's _chevelure_.

"Oh, thank you," said the other distantly. "Isn't it right? Never mind.
Dressing is such a waste of time."

"Hugger-muggering with Bernard is not, I suppose?" thought Bluebell,
resolutely continuing her task.

But it was Janet's turn to be angry, when, at tea that evening, utterly
oblivious of the vacant chair next herself, her faithless swain
manoeuvred into one next Bluebell.

"Are you fond of music by moonlight?" he took the first opportunity of
whispering.

"I like it anywhere," replied she, innocently. "I can't say I ever heard
it by moonlight."

Much discomfited, Alec gazed incredulously, and then burst out laughing.

Bluebell naturally inquired what she had said to amuse him; but he evaded
the question, as Janet was evidently listening. Later on, when the former
was at the piano, and he pretending to turn over, he whispered,--"I
wonder under whose window I was making such a lovely noise the other
night?"

"How should I know? And why did you do it?"

"I wanted to give you a welcome to the Lake; but perhaps I serenaded that
vinegar-faced governess instead."

Bluebell was playing rather a pathetic sonata; but the time got decidedly
erratic, as she stared bewildered at Alec, and then went off into a fit
of laughing. "How could you be such a goose? If Colonel Rolleston had
been at home, he would have fired his ten-shooter at you."

"Tell me which is your window," he whispered, "and I'll give you plenty
of music by moonlight. I hope it is the one with the balcony."

"Why?"

"Because," said Alec, audaciously, "you would look so beautiful stepping
out on it, like Julia in 'Guy Mannering.' And we could talk, you know."

"Very well," said Bluebell, who opined it was about time to shut him up.
"Suppose we refer it to Miss Cameron. I understand your heart and
accomplishments are all made over to her. Perhaps she would assist at
the balcony scene!"

Alec bit his lip, and looked rather ashamed. Such a rebuff would not have
embarrassed Bertie, nor awakened in him a slumbering conscience, as it
did in this young lumberer, who was ridiculous enough to be in earnest in
his infidelity.

But Bluebell, knowing she had no quarter to expect from the girls if she
returned to them no