Vance bowed, smiled, and retreated.

But meanwhile his young friend had seized the opportunity to speak both to Waife and his grandchild; and when Vance took his arm and drew him away, there was a puzzled, musing expression on Lionel's face, and he remained silent till they had got through the press of such stragglers as still loitered before the stage, and were in a quiet corner of the sward.

Stars and moon were then up,--a lovely summer night.
"What on earth are you thinking of, Lionel?
I have put to you three questions, and you have not answered one." "Vance," answered Lionel, slowly, "the oddest thing! I am so disappointed in that little girl,--greedy and mercenary!" "Precocious villain! how do you know that she is greedy and mercenary ?" "Listen: when that surly old manager came up to you, I said something--civil, of course--to Waife, who answered in a hoarse, broken voice, but in very good language.

Well, when I told the manager that you would pay for the sitting, the child caught hold of my arm hastily, pulled me down to her own height, and whispered, 'How much will he give ?' Confused by a question so point-blank, I answered at random, 'I don't know; ten shillings, perhaps.' You should have seen her face!" "See her face! radiant,--I should think so.

Too much by half!" exclaimed Vance.