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When the ht up to the Countess Olenska, and they sat down in a corner and plunged into animated talk Neither seemed aware that the Duke should first have paid his respects to Mrs Lovell Mingott and Mrs Headly Chivers, and the Countess have conversed with that aton Square, who, in order to have the pleasure ofout between January and April The two chatted together for nearly twentyalone across the wide drawing-room, sat down at Newland Archer's side

It was not the custoet up and walk away froentleman in order to seek the company of another Etiquette required that she should wait, immovable as an idol, while the men ished to converse with her succeeded each other at her side But the Countess was apparently unaware of having broken any rule; she sat at perfect ease in a corner of the sofa beside Archer, and looked at him with the kindest eyes

"I want you to talk toher he asked: "You knew the Duke before?"

"Oh, yes--we used to see hi--he used to coreat deal" She said it in the simplest manner, as if she had said: "He's fond of wild-flowers"; and after a moment she added candidly: "I think he's the dullest man I ever ot the slight shock her previous re to meet a lady who found the van der Luydens' Duke dull, and dared to utter the opinion He longed to question her, to hear iven hilito say she had strayed back to her original subject

"May is a darling; I've seen no young girl in New York so handsoent Are you very hed "As htfully, as if not toin what he said, "Do you think, then, there is a li in love? If there is, I haven't found it!"