'I wonder whether she still reads that insufferable publication.
By-the-by, I found you had told them the story at Ullswater.' 'Yes.

It came up _a propos_ of my scheme.' A gong sounded down below.
'Twelve o'clock' remarked Mrs.Ormonde.

'My birds are going to their dinner--poor little town sparrows! We'll let them get settled, then go and have a peep at them--shall we ?' 'Yes, I should like to see them--and,' he added pleasantly, 'to see the look on your face when you watch them.' 'I have much to thank them for, Walter,' she said, earnestly.

'They brighten many an hour when I should be unhappy.' Presently Mrs.Ormonde led the way downstairs and to the rear of the house.

A room formerly devoted to billiards had been converted into a homely but very bright refectory; it was hung round with cheerful pictures, and before each of the two windows stood a large aquarium, full of water-plants and fishes.