He says--you read a great deal." The solemnity of the last words, the fixedness of the tragic look, were not to be resisted.

Marcella laughed out, and both ladies simultaneously thought her extraordinarily radiant and handsome.
"How can he know?
Why, I have hardly talked about books to him at all." "Well! here he comes," said Lady Winterbourne, smiling suddenly; "so I can ask him.

But I am sure he did say so." It was now Marcella's turn to colour.

Aldous Raeburn crossed the room, greeted Lady Winterbourne, and next moment she felt her hand in his.
"You did tell me, Aldous, didn't you," said Lady Winterbourne, "that Miss Boyce was a great reader ?" The speaker had known Aldous Raeburn as a boy, and was, moreover, a sort of cousin, which explained the Christian name.
Aldous smiled.
"I said I thought Miss Boyce was like you and me, and had a weakness that way, Lady Winterbourne.

But I won't be cross-examined!" "I don't think I am a great reader," said Marcella, bluntly--"at least I read a great deal, but I hardly ever read a book through.