"My friend, you have played badly this evening." "I have played badly," Mr.Emblem replied, "because to-morrow will be an important day for Iris, and for myself.

A day, Iris, that I have been looking forward to for eighteen years, ever since I got your father's last letter, written upon his death-bed.

It seems a long time, but like a lifetime," said the old man of seventy-five, "it is as nothing when it is gone.

Eighteen years, and you were a little thing of three, child!" "What is going to happen to me, grandfather, except that I shall be twenty-one ?" "We shall see to-morrow.

Patience, my dear--patience." He spread out his hands and laughed.