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hireeable topic was

to be discussed, the sooner it was taken up and disposed of, the

better That was Lloyd's way

"Of course," he went on, "if Alice knew of our--ah, acquaintance, it

would shock her It would shock her very reat charhtfully

That coht her breath

with the shock of it But she could not stop to analyze its peculiar

terror "Alice needn't know," she began--but he esture

"If wewith his back to the fire, one hand in his pocket, the

other holding his cigar; he blew three ss, and smiled "Will

you let me off, Nelly?"

"I know you don't love me," she broke out passionately-"Oh, now, Helena, not a scene, please! My dear, I love you as reatly value your friendship

But I can love you just as much, not to say more, if you are here in

your own house in Old Chester, instead of being inon a volcano!"