"Sir Charles does not come here every day, but he comes now and then, and he is always welcome." "You surprise me." "Thank you.

Now some of my gentlemen friends think it is a wonder he does not come every minute." "You mistake me.

What surprises me is that you are such good friends under the circumstances." "Circumstances! what circumstances ?" "Oh, you know.

You are in his confidence, I presume ?"--this rather satirically.

So the lady answered, defiantly: "Yes, I am; he knows I can hold my tongue, so he tells me things he tells nobody else." "Then, if you are in his confidence, you know he is about to be married." "Married! Sir Charles married!" "In three weeks." "It's a lie! You get out of my house this moment!" Mr.Bassett colored at this insult.