When the Birds Begin to Sing

otly, rising from his chair and pacing the room. "If y

t's all!" re

end in Richmond, if your whole time is

ood of pretending friendship for people you don't care a button about

'Giddy' no

known her nearl

you? We might have led a happy, contented life it she were not here to poison it. What did yo

Liberty' descended like the goddess of Beauty on our abode, and made it the envy of our neighbours? G

interrupts, "I have

tle woman to be left alone all day, while her better half is frivoling in the City with stocks and shares, and a

or your frequent visits to town together. I don't wish my wi

her beauty that say nasty things. She told me so herself. Besides,

arms, and is soothing his r

hungering devotion than of yore. "Her companionship is not good for you,

ure. I declare, when you walk up and down-like this," imitating his stride, "a

r, was I su

t get out. You just stand and laugh at him, and ple

the subject of Mrs. Mounteagle, and it is rather a red

through her eyelashes coquettishly. She has caught

wn to-night, but it is most important. Y

fessionals, and a sprinkling of local talent. The Misses Hillier play the harp and violin, with particularly

Mounteagl

d Giddy is so glad. It gives he

Mrs. Hillier telling

just as we had made it up, too," p

shall have the satisfaction of know

leanor as he leaves;

eagle," ann

the widow sweetly, pre

were a dressmaker or sister of mercy, and always looks at me as if my bonnet were crook

ieve Philip w

You know he went abroad to grow, and was not to come back for six months, but three seem to have nearly killed him. He has had typhoid

r told me

ertie-Herber

ssive intonation. "

w did yo

lesome, and-and you

Mounteagle says, unfolding a parcel on her lap.

good enoug

I am not altogether satisfied with the severe bodice. I

a cloud of s

anor, flinging her arms

ery welco

to-night," continues Ele

g up as with some magic inspiration) "I'll come and stay the night with you, dear, see you

ill not be together this evening." Yet what can s

n, her maid unpacking a dainty dressing-bag with gold-topped ornaments, and hanging u

addressing the maid in the superior drawl she adopts towards menials. "Twist the coil at the top-so, like a teapot

, but between them Eleanor's c

t is the good after all in being beautiful for such a dowdy set? They will only

offingly, to Judith later on. "She's as differ

you alone," declares

kland. Mr. Roche has a most enviable collection. I have rather a headache, and shall go to bed early and read. I never sl

se, dear. It is a

agle, when she goes to her room, "and, Sarah! bring me

ly night air mingle with the fumes of her cig

ho are not so dowdy after all. The smartest Richmond girls arrive on this occasion, yet th

, stealing Giddy's ideas, remembering her d

occasion), when her glance falls on a man in the doorway. He is looking straight across at her with strangely magnetic eye

st Miss Hillier, and as

che-Mr.

at of honour by her side, monopolises the conversa

yed by pessimism, given to analyse human hearts and discover their misery, to look deeply into the lives of his fellow creatures, below the platitudes and conventionalities.

as yet she is undeveloped-he mentally reviews her. She is absurd, improbable, and therefore fascinating.

eft unstated. Eleanor, he decides, is neither highly-strung nor excitable, but outspoken, fresh, and conscious of her beauty, without conceit. He thinks he loves her at

nor, with a puzzled frown, and a smile which counteracts

hat the secret cells could be opened and revealed to our nearest a

s and evil quarrels revi

ife on a sheet of foolscap. 'Preface; apparent folly, covering inte

fort

lls me with such loathing for this paltry world, with its pigmy minds and soulless bodies, that I can hardly control my contemp

not be purchased like false

l activity, the most confusing mystery of all. I believe in a dual nature existing in men and women

erstood are invariably ir

ly. "We shall meet again, Mrs. Roche"-speaking confidently-"for have we no

nge that we shou

and is holding out

re not

I shall be disgrace

ess good-night, but finds he is w

ll your c

it, as I only liv

y I esco

m confidently with he

mean y

takes her arm as they st

hildish Eleanor breaking through the "Giddy" manner. "I t

was preme

ughs s

not so near," mu

ve out of simple curiosity. I am to throw st

asks. "Which is the pa

eft of my room,"

es through the air. Rat

be de chambre, her dark hair fal

, I am com

king hands with Carol Quinton, two small, bare feet pee

Eleanor, but told them to leave out some aspic and champagne, as I know the Hilliers starve their

rol into the hall

y Giddy's suggestion. She is looking somewhat blankly at those d

ou some shoes?

better than leather

lences Eleanor, who feels sh

n't this nice?" as he fills her glass with champagne. "Was there ever a jollier little trio?" leaning back in her chair and surveying the other two complacentl

eams on Giddy and Carol Quinton in luxurious contentment. She permits her guests to smoke,

eality, but considers it

cigarette. "My dear boy, she is perfectly charming, the most piquante little singer of the day. Why, the chorus of h

litt

ould s

e count

wilds of

he hall lock, footsteps advance down the passage, the din

opens, and Philip Roc