It has been," Mrs.Assingham wound up, "illuminating to ME." Her husband attended, but the momentary effect of his attention was vagueness again, and the refuge of his vagueness was a gasp.

"Poor dear little girl!" "Ah no--don't pity her!" This did, however, pull him up.

"We mayn't even be sorry for her ?" "Not now--or at least not yet.

It's too soon--that is if it isn't very much too late.

This will depend," Mrs.Assingham went on; "at any rate we shall see.