CHAPTER VIII.
PROOF AGAINST ILLUSION An interesting conversation took place one morning between Mrs.Spence and Mrs.Lessingham with regard to Cecily.

They were alone together at the villa; Cecily and Miriam had gone for a drive with the Bradshaws.
After speaking of Reuben Elgar, Mrs.Lessingham passed rather abruptly to what seemed a disconnected subject.
"I don't think it's time yet for Cecily to give up her set studies.

I should like to find some one to read with her regularly again before long--say Latin and history; there would be no harm in a little mathematics.

But there's a difficulty in finding the suitable person." She smiled.

"I'm afraid only a lady will answer the purpose." "Better, no doubt," assented Eleanor, also with a smile.
"And ladies who would be any good to Cecily are not at one's disposition every day.