It is amazing how in the face of passion and the affections and the changing face of life all plans and theories by which we guide ourselves fall to the ground.

Here was Aileen talking bravely at the time she invaded Mrs.Lillian Cowperwood's domain of the necessity of "her Frank" finding a woman suitable to his needs, tastes, abilities, but now that the possibility of another woman equally or possibly better suited to him was looming in the offing--although she had no idea who it might be--she could not reason in the same way.

Her ox, God wot, was the one that was being gored.

What if he should find some one whom he could want more than he did her?
Dear heaven, how terrible that would be! What would she do?
she asked herself, thoughtfully.

She lapsed into the blues one afternoon--almost cried--she could scarcely say why.