u anything to say to me, dear?" she asks, looking up and
suspending her employment for the time being.

"Letitia," begins he, thoughtfully, not to say solemnly, "it is quite
two months since Luttrell first put in an appearance in this house.
Now, I don't wish to seem inhospitable,--far be it from me: a thirst
for knowledge alone induces me to put the question,--but, _do_ you
think he means to reside here permanently?"

"It is certainly very strange," says Letitia, unmoved by his eloquence
to even the faintest glimmer of a smile, so deep is her interest in the
subject,--"the very oddest thing. If, now, it were a place where a
young man could find any amusement, I would say nothing; but here! Do
you know, John,"--mysteriously,--"I have my suspicions."

"No!" exclaims Mr. Massereene, betraying the wildest curiosity in voice
and gesture,--so wild as to hint at the possibility of its not being
genuine. "You don't say so!"

"It has once or twice occurred to me----"

"Yes?"

"I have certainly thought----"

"Letitia,"--with authority,--"don't think, or suspect, or let it occur
to you any more: _say_ it."

"Well, then, I think he is in love with Molly."

John breaks into a heavy laugh.

"What it is to be a woman of penetration," says he. "So you have found
that out. Now, that is where we men fail. But are you certain? Why do
you think it?"

"I am almost convinced of it," Letitia says, with much solemnity. "Last
night I happened to be looking out of one of the windows that overhang
the garden, and there in the moonlight (it was quite ten o'clock) I saw
Molly give him a red rose; and he took it, and gazed at it as though he
were going to devour it; and then he kissed it; and after that he
kissed Molly's hand! Now, I don't think, John, unless a young man
was--you know--eh?"

"I altogether agree with you. Unless a young man _was_, you know,
why, he wouldn't--that's all. I am glad, however, he had the grace to
stop at the hand,--that it was not Molly's lips he chose instead."

"My _dear_ John!"

"My darling Letty! have I said anything so very _outre_? Were you
never kissed by a young man?"

"Only by you," returns Mrs. Massereene, laughing apologetically, and
blushing a rare delicate pink that would not have disgraced her at
eighteen.

"Ah, you may well be excused, considering how you were tempted. It is
not every day one meets---- By the bye, Letty, did you cease your
eavesdropping at that point?"

"Yes; I d