It was told of her and of Mrs.MacHugh that they had played double-dummy for a whole evening together; and they who were given to calumny had declared that the candles on that evening had been lighted very early.

On the present occasion a great many sixpenny points were scored, and much tea and cake were consumed.

Mr.Gibson never played whist,--nor did Dorothy.

That young John Wright and Mary Cheriton should do nothing but talk to each other was a thing of course, as they were to be married in a month or two.

Then there was Ida Cheriton, who could not very well be left at home; and Mr.Gibson made himself pleasant to Dorothy and Ida Cheriton, instead of making himself pleasant to the two Miss Frenches.