I made one of my heroines in my last play have just those passionate eyes--and she stabbed the villain in the second act!" "Yes, but," said Mary, who felt she must defend Tristram's wife, "Zara isn't in a play and there is no villain, and--why, Betty, no one has tragedies in real life!" Lady Betty tossed her flaxen head, while she announced a prophecy, with an air of deep wisdom which positively frightened the other two girls.
"You mark my words, both of you, Emily and Mary--they will have some tragedy before the year is out! And I shall put it all in my next play." And with this fearful threat ringing in their ears Tristram's two sisters walked in a scared fashion to their room.
"Betty is wonderful, isn't she, darling ?" Mary said.

"But, Em, you don't think there is any truth in it, do you?
Mother would be so horribly shocked if there was anything like one of Betty's plays in the family, wouldn't she?
And Tristram would never allow it either!" "Of course not, you goosie," answered Emily.

"But Betty is right in one way--Zara has got a mysterious face, and--and, Mary--Tristram seemed somehow changed, I thought; rather sarcastic once or twice." And then their maid came in and put a stop to their confidences.
* * * * * "She is the most wonderful person I have ever met, Ethelrida," Lady Anningford was just then saying, as she and the hostess stopped at her door and let Lady Thornby and the young Countess of Melton go on.--"She is wickedly beautiful and attractive, and there is something odd about her, too, and it touches me; and I don't believe she is really wicked a bit.

Her eyes are like storm clouds.

I have heard her first husband was a brute.