done any good," she was saying to herself; "whether my delicately-veiled hint was understood by her? But I am afraid not. However, we cannot allow Cicely's happiness to be ruined because she happens to be too imaginative, and Cyril too fond of talking about himself a luxury he cannot indulge in at home; and above all, dear, simple Delicia, whom I hope to keep single till Christopher is old enough to marry her, must not be permitted to be the match that fires the train.

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CHAPTER XX.

THE WORLD IS FULL OF RUBS.

"Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises."

“WELL or ill, I intend to go." Cicely, with an angry flush on her cheek, was the speaker, Cyril and Betty her audience.

'Well, Cicely, if you will be so foolish, I must get Dr Jameson to forbid it."

"I suppose you are going?" questioned Cicely, suspiciously.

"If Betty wants me; but it is only a children's party, you know.”

"I believe it is just because you are going that you are so anxious I should stay at home."

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'Don't you think," interposed Betty, placidly, "that instead of our all losing our tempers over such a trifling subject, that it would be better to defer the discussion until a week hence, when perhaps Cicely may be so much better that she will quite enjoy a romp with the children, and be strong enough for the 'surprise' they have prepared for us?"

"Will there be no one else there, excepting the children?"

Only those benighted beings that we have prevailed upon to come and amuse them."

And they are?" queried Cicely, quietly, but the flush had not faded out of her cheeks.

"Nan and John, of course, and I hope Mr Rayton, if he does not play us false at the last minute, and

"Miss Mainwaring," announced the servant, opening the door.

"I knew it," Cicely said, in a low, indignant voice. For a second she hardly realised that the sentence had not been finished by the person who had begun it.

As Delicia entered the room, Cyril rose, and with an excuse went away, and the three ladies were left alone.

Dear Cicely," Miss Mainwaring said, drawing a chair up to the sofa, "I am so grieved to hear of your being ill. I came to see if perhaps you would like a drive."

No, thank you; I am not well enough to go out."

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You must find it so trying," Delicia went on, kindly, "lying here all day-you who never could bear being still."

'I find it dull," Cicely said, significantly, "as I am nearly always alone."

Delicia coloured a little, recalling Elizabeth's words the last time she had seen her, and guessing therefore the hidden meaning in Cicely's speech.

Cicely, perceiving the blush, misinterpreted it, and thought her arrow had hit the mark. After that, Miss Mainwaring's kind words fell on inattentive ears, and the conversation devolved almost entirely upon Elizabeth and Delicia.

"I am going to the club," Cyril said, putting his head in at the door; "can I do anything for you?" "No, thank you."

Can I give you a lift, Mr Stevens? I am going straight to Piccadilly, and should be so glad if you would go with me."

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"It is very good of you," Cyril replied; "I should be most obliged.”

At Miss Mainwaring's words Betty bent her eyes over her work to hide the aggravated look that she felt must be perceptible; and yet at the same time it was all so ludicrous. Looking at Delicia's grave grey eyes, which always looked so straightly and unwaveringly upon the world-eyes which were never raised in search of admiration, and which spoke so clearly of the honourable single-hearted woman to whom they belonged-eyes with which it was so impossible to couple the word coquetry, -it all seemed to a bystander so infinitely ludi

crous.

And to a woman of experience, as was Elizabeth Stevens, the mere fact of the openness of the invitation would have been sufficient; but to poor, foolish Cicely—ah me! what spectres the jealous, the self-willed, and many other foolish people, can conjure up wherewith to frighten themselves!

Directly the door closed on the two offenders,

Cicely walked over to the window and watched. them drive away, with what bitter, angry feelings at her heart none but those who have suffered the pangs of jealousy, either well or ill founded, can know. Betty watched her furtively through her glasses, but was afraid to speak, not being quite certain in her own mind what would be at once the wisest and kindest thing to say.

But Cicely soon gave her an opening. Returning to the sofa, and burying her face in the cushions, she broke out into wild sobs and tears. "You see the way he treats me, Betty: he would rather be with any one than with me," she cried, raising her tearful face. "He is never in the house, if he can help it, and I am neglected and miserable!"

You

"My dear Cicely," and Betty knelt down by the sofa, and took the girl's hands in hers, "I wonder if you ever think how silly it is to try and make yourself miserable with these imaginary troubles. know Delicia Mainwaring just as well as I do: now, is it possible that, honestly-if you were judging of her and some one else's husband-that you think she is a woman whom any one could accuse of flirting?"

"Delicia Mainwaring was in love with Cyril, and tried to marry him," Cicely said, obstinately.

"Well, even if that is what you believe-which, Cicely, I doubt-Cyril married you, so there is very little present misery to be made even out of that view of the case."

"But he likes her," cried foolish Cicely, quitting common-sense and reverting to tears-"he likes her,