ne. There are more disagreeable things than
money. There was once upon a time a stubborn mare, and even she was made
to go by this same much-abused money. By the bye,"--thoughtfully,--"you
don't object to your share of it, do you?"

"By no means. I purchased it so dearly I have quite a veneration for
it."

"I see. I don't think my remark called for so ungracious a reply. To
look at you one could hardly imagine a cruel sentiment coming from your
lips."

"That shows how deceitful appearances can be. Had you troubled yourself
to raise my veil upon your wedding-day you might have made yourself
miserable for life. Really, Sir Penthony, I think you owe me a debt of
gratitude."

"Do you? Then I confess myself _un_grateful. Oh, Cecil, had I only
known----" Here he pauses, warned by the superciliousness of her
bearing, and goes on rather lamely. "Are you cold? Shall I get you a
shawl?" They are standing on the veranda, and the evening is closing
in.

"Cold? No. Who could feel cold on so divine an evening? It reminds one
of the very heart of summer, and---- Ah!" with a little start and a
pleased smile, "here is Mr. Lowry coming across the grass."

"Lowry! It seems to me he always is coming across the grass." Testily.
"Has he no servants, no cook, no roof over his head? Or what on earth
brings him here, morning, noon, and night?"

"I really think he must come to see me," says Lady Stafford, with
modest hesitation. "He was so much with me in town, off and on, that I
dare say he misses me now. He was very attentive about bringing me
flowers and--and that."

"No doubt. It is amazing how thoughtful men can be on occasions. You
like him very much?"

"Very much indeed. He is amiable, good-natured, and has such kind brown
eyes."

"Has he?" With exaggerated surprise. "Is he indeed all that you say? It
is strange how blind a man can be to his neighbor's virtues, whatever
he may be to his faults. Now, if I had been asked my opinion of Talbot
Lowry, I would have said he was the greatest bore and about the ugliest
fellow I ever met in my life."

"Well, of course, strictly speaking, no one could call him handsome,"
Cecil says, feeling apologetic on the score of Mr. Lowry; "but he has
excellent points; and, after all, with me, good looks count for very
little." She takes a calm survey of her companion's patrician features
as she speaks; but Sir Penthony takes no notice of her examination, as
he is looking straight before him at