The Girl Behind The Mask

l." Miss Marie dropped the words almost into his ear,

ved another sensation. "She has spirit, though, and upon my word I pity Ben Sc

ur word," said Lucy, rising with decision, for Dylan was sho

ghtly dull, when only my own family are present. Good night, Mamma." He shook hands with his mother,

hings, for I don't mind Seb any more than I do his dogs,

or drive with her, and in the evening sit with us here, if you like, or amuse yourself as you please. While in the country we are very quiet, for I cannot bear much company, and when my sons want merriment, they go away for it. Miss Beau

was the same that had startled Dylan a few minutes before, nor that the pale, patient face could ever have kindle

she is here; and began his charitable work by suggesting that she might be tired. She acknowledged she was, and

power in a woman's wit and will!" She stood a moment motionless, with an expression of almost fierce disdain on her face, then shook her clenched hand as if fighting some unseen e

out a flask, and mixed a glass of some ardent cordial, which she seemed to enjoy extremely

l like it. Merci, old friend. You put heart and courage into me when nothing else will. Come,

t of costume or false adornment. Now she was alone, and her mobile features settled into their natural expression, weary, hard, bitter. She had been lovely once, happy, innocent, and tender; but nothing of all this remained to the gloomy woman who leaned there brooding over some wrong, or loss, or disappointment which had darkened all her life. For an hour s