There used to be a picture of Colonel Brigg on the mantelpiece, in full uniform, and signed by himself 'for Kitty;' and Lord! how jealous I was of it, for Kitty never took presents from gentlemen, and nobody even was allowed in here, though she helped her father all over the hotel.

She was awfully strict in those days," he interpolated, with a thoughtful look and a half-sigh; "but then she wasn't married.

I proposed to her in this very room! Lord! I remember how frightened I was." He stopped for an instant, and then said with a certain timidity, "Do you mind my telling you something about it ?" Mrs.Horncastle was hardly prepared to hear these ingenuous domestic details, but she smiled vaguely, although she could not suppress a somewhat impatient movement with her hands.

Even Barker noticed it, but to her surprise moved a little nearer to her, and in a half-entreating way said, "I hope I don't bore you, but it's something confidential.

Do you know that she first REFUSED me ?" Mrs.Horncastle smiled, but could not resist a slight toss of her head.
"I believe they all do when they are sure of a man." "No!" said Barker eagerly, "you don't understand.