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"Trust in hies Dora, with a sob "He is altogether worthy of you" So saying, she escapes frooes up the stairs to her own apart bitterly

"Is there any hope for ain alone "Darling, answer me, do, you--can you love me?"

"I have loved you always--always," replies Florence in a broken voice "But I thought--I feared--oh, how much I have suffered!"

"Never mind that now," rejoins Sir Adrian very tenderly He has placed his ar in happy contentment upon his breast "For the future,if I can prevent it"

They are still ood half hour has gone by, when a noise as of co footsteps in the conservatory attracts their attention, and presently Captain Ringwood, with his arm round Ethel Villiers's waist, comes slowly into view

Totally unaware that any one is in the roo to lift their eyes, they suddenly beco thelances of surprise and amusement Instantly they start asunder

"It is--that is--you see--Ethel, you explain," stawood confusedly

At this both Sir Adrian and Florence burst out laughing so merrily and so heartily that all constraint co in the merriment that has been raised at their expense, volunteer a full explanation

"I think," says Ethel, after awhile, looking keenly at Florence and her host, "you two look just as guilty as we do Don't they, George?"

"They seewood, who, now that he has confessed to his having just been accepted by Ethel Villiers "for better for worse," is again in his usual gay spirits

"Nearly? you"Florence, as we have discovered their secret, I think it will be only honest of us to tell thelances rather shyly at Ethel

"I know it," cries that young lady, clapping her hands "You are going toto h

"Well, one of those surwood, with a suess was a pretty safe one If she is right, old ratulate you both with all my heart"