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"Nay; first answer me one question," entreats Dynecourt "Do you lovefor Sir Adrian!" replies Florence distinctly, and in a so touched to the quick

Two figures who have entered the gallery by the second door at the upper end of it, hearing these words uttered in an elance at the tableau presented to their vieer down They hesitate, and, even as they do so, they can see Arthur Dynecourt seize Florence Delmaine's hand, and, apparently unrebuked, kiss it passionately

"Then I shall hope still," he says in a low but impressive voice, at which the tho have just entered turn and beat a precipitate retreat, fearing that they may be seen One is Sir Adrian, the other Mrs Talbot

"Dear ht it? I was never so amazed in my life"

Sir Adrian, who has turned very pale, and is looking greatly distressed, ain to hih unable or unwilling to co for Sir Adrian!" They strike like a knell upon his ears--a death-knell to all his dearest hopes And that fellow on his knees before her, kissing her hand, and telling her he will still hope! Hope for what? Alas, he tells hilad they haveup sympathetically at Sir Adrian

"Made it up? I had no idea they were more than ordinary and very new acquaintances"

"It is quite a year since we firstDynecourt by his Christian na she has never done before, because she knows it will give Sir Adrian the impression that they are on very intimate terms with his cousin "He has been our shadow ever since I wonder you did not notice his devotion in town"

"I noticed nothing," says Sir Adrian,i Miss Del but a rooted dislike to hiood friends of late," explains Dora hastily; "that we all could see And Florence is very peculiar, you know; she is quite the dearest girl in the world, and I adore her; but I will confess to you"--with another upward and bewitching glance fro blue eyes--"that she has her little te her head archly--"but just enough to make one a bit afraid of her at times; so I never ventured to ask her why she treated poor Arthur, who really is her slave, so cruelly"