Of course it was Dyce who led the way in speculation; Iris caught at everything he propounded with breathless fervour and a resolute liberality of mind, determined to be afraid of no hypothesis.

Oh, the afternoons of endless talk! Iris felt that this was indeed to live the higher life.
"By the bye," fell from Lashmar, musingly, "did you ever hear of a Lady Ogram ?" "I seem to know the name," answered Mrs.Woolstan, keenly attentive.
"Ogram ?--Yes, of course; I have heard Mrs.Toplady speak of her; but I know nothing more.

Who is she?
What about her ?" A maidservant entered with the tea-tray.

Dyce lay back in his chair, gazing vacantly, until his hostess offered him a cup of tea.

As he bent forward to take it, his eyes for a moment dwelt with unusual intentness on the face and figure of Iris Woolstan.