from Sir Gregory. My troubles are beginning soon.'

'Oh, never mind about Sir Gregory,' said he; 'there is something else that

'Take care!' whispered Juliet; she has such quick ears! She will hear.' 'But when can I speak to you?' 'I don't know.'

Juliet shook her head. 'She always insists on sharing any letter I receive, if she knows the writer too, and very often when she doesn't.'

Then what can I do? husband?'

You love your

'Love him? How can you ask me? I shall be miserable till I get him back.'

'Then for Heaven's sake respect his wishes, and refuse to associate with persons who would be distasteful to him.'

Juliet's face turned crimson, but she said very quietly, 'I know whom you mean. You may trust me.'

Then why, in the name of all that is honest and honourable, can't you be

เ

Open about the visit he has just paid you?' was the end of the sentence that Mr. Gerard was destined never to finish. He had just reached the middle of it when Mrs. Caradoc came briskly into the room, exclaiming: 'Now, good people, let us have our tea. Juliet, I fully expected you would have it poured out, but it's no matter; let's have it now.'

There was a smile on her lips, her little eyes were dancing with delight, and in her mind the words nucleus of an extremely good collection' were dancing too, and that to the most joyous of tunes.

CHAPTER VII.

6 SATISFY HER SOMEHOW.'

'Women with women can work best alone.' CYRIL TOURNEUR.

MR. GERARD went back to the Freemans' feeling miserably anxious and unhappy. His own disposition was so honest and open, and his code of honour so rigid, that Juliet's conduct seemed to him the height of meanness and treachery. She had quietly allowed her aunt to believe that Mr. Clifton had been with her, whereas it was Mr. Congreve, a man suspected and disliked by Mrs. Caradoc-a man whom she herself was under a solemn promise not to see or speak to when alone. baseness was monstrous ! A girl who would do that would do anything! He was resolved to have some serious conversation with her on

Such

this subject the following day if he could but find an opportunity of seeing her alone. Meantime he repented him of his rashness in performing that marriage ceremony. He could not sleep; he could only toss about on his bed, long for the day, and extract what comfort he might from the reflection that it was the last of his visit to London. When that one day was over, he would return to Limberthwaite and his beloved wife.

He was, however, to do that sooner than he anticipated, for his wife was ill, and a telegram summoned him at once. This was more than

thought of Juliet's

enough to banish all misdemeanour from his mind, and not until another telegram had been handed into the railway carriage to him when he was already half-way home, and he learnt that the illness was well-nigh over, was he able to feel any regret that he could now do nothing to guard Juliet from herself. It was impossible for him to write to her except on indifferent matters. She herself had told him that Mrs. Caradoc was apt to insist on seeing all letters from common friends, and that he was such a favourite of the old lady's that she was certain

to ask to see his. How was he to communicate with her how utter the words of warning which were so much needed?

After awhile he began to hope that he was disquieting himself without a cause. Things often looked strange, and then a few words of explanation made the suspecting person ashamed of his suspicions. This would be the case now. Mr. Gerard was almost sure of it, and sure also that he would never have suspected Juliet at all if her aunt had not so frequently informed him that she was a rusé girl-so true is the homely saying that no one can fling mud at anyone without some of it sticking.

While Mr. Gerard was speeding home to his wife, Mrs. Caradoc was confined to her room by a sudden attack of something that threatened to be acute bronchitis. Bronchitis was the enemy which she knew to be lying in wait at the gates of her life, and she never neglected any means of defence. Clements, Juliet, Dorothy, and a big steam kettle were each and all in a state of activity in her room, and whenever her cough was allayed, and she felt well enough to speak, she informed them that what