The eldest, a daughter, had been married some four or five years to Sir George Meredith, and this Miss Monsell was a dear friend of hers.

And now looms before me the novelist's great difficulty.

Miss Monsell--or, rather, Mrs.Mark Robarts--must be described.

As Miss Monsell, our tale will have to take no prolonged note of her.

And yet we will call her Fanny Monsell, when we declare that she was one of the pleasantest companions that could be brought near to a man, as the future partner of his home, and owner of his heart.