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"Dr Anstice"--Iris' voice was very low--"shall I disturb you if I come and sit beside you for a little while? I--I feel rather--lonely--sitting over there"

Anstice had turned round sharply as she began to speak and his heart yearned over her pitifully as he noted the pallor of her cheeks, the forlorn look in her grey eyes

"Of course you won't disturb me" He dared not speak so elad if you will cos by hier arises, you will keep out of harm's on't you?"

"Yes" She said no more for a moment; but her assent satisfied hi of joy at her proximity which would not be repressed

Presently he heard her low voice once o--why didn't you tell ed? Didn't you want me to know she was to have married--Bruce?" Her voice sank on the last word

For an instant Anstice kept silence, uncertain how to answer her Then, seeing she aiting for his reply, he made an effort and spoke

"Mrs Cheniston, to be honest, I don't knohy I did not tell you But"--he seized the opportunity for a question on his own account--"will you tell me how you kno? Did--did your husband tell you?"

"No" Her eyesthe truth "I learned the fact for certain by accident three days ago, when Bruce was delirious Of course I had wondered--sometimes"--said Iris honestly--"but I never liked to ask And after all it hed "It ain a silence fell between them; and then a sudden impulse drove Anstice into speech

"Mrs Cheniston," he said, very quietly, " wanted you to know?"

Startled, she assented; and he continued slowly

"You re day"--he saw her wince, and went on ht, I mean, when Cherry Carstairs set herself on fire and you came for me to my house----"

"Yes" Her eyes were sad "I reht"