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"Did he?"

"No That was Bryce's fault How Bryce happened to be in the house at that hour, I cannot iine; but it seems to be natural for him to drop into any interviehere he can make trouble However, it turned out all for the best, for when mother heard Bryce's voice above all the other sounds, she said, 'Cohted I was angelically dressed, and I felt equal to the interview"

"Do you reallyh to freeze a teave father a look he comprehended Then she shook hands with Basil, and would have made some remark to Bryce, but with his usual impertinence he took the initiative, and told he: very authoritatively to 'retire and takeme that 'demure little flirt' in a tone that was very offensive You should have seen father blaze into anger at his words He told Bryce to re owned the house, and that Bryce had four or five rooms in it by his courtesy' He said also that the 'ladies present were Mr Ben Denning's wife and daughter, and that it was impertinent in him to order them out of his parlor, where they were alelcome' Bryce hite with passion, but he answered in his affected way--'Sir, that sly girl with her pretended piety and her sneak of a lover is race an to cry, and I put my arms around father's neck and said he must defend me; that I was not 'sly,' and Basil was not 'a sneak,' and father kissed me, and said he would settle with any man, and every man, who presu acted beautifully What did Bryce say?"

"He turned to Basil, and said: 'Mr Stanhope, if you are not a cad, you will leave the house You have no right to intrude yourself into family affairs and fa with one hand on the back of her chair, and he did not answer Bryce--there was no need, father answered quick enough He said Mr Stanhope had asked to become one of the family, and for his part he would welcome him freely; and then he asked mother if she was of his mind, and mother smiled and reached her hand backward to Basil Then father kissed ain, and somehow Basil's arm was round me, and I know I looked lovely--almost like a bride! Oh, Ethel, it was just heavenly!"