aristocratic society, and to be kept in he background while Lady Eveline was enjoying herself in the gay and fashionable world was losing the best half of the triumph of his success. Eveline was pleased with the provision that her parents made. She did not want to see much of John Derrick, even if it ever came to anything, and as for correspondence, she wondered what in all the world they could find to say to each other. She caught a glance at his face timidly enough; he looked annoyed; she was sure he had not a good temper. He had not the courage to appeal against the hardship of restricted opportunities of lovemaking, but yet he did not like it.
On the whole both father and son were quite satisfied with the result of the interview, and when they were gone Eveline tried to explain to her mother that all this had been taken for granted, and that she had no idea of accepting John Derrick's proposal when she allowed him to speak to her father; but before she began her mother clasped her in her arms and wept over her again, and said she could bear to give her up for her own good and her own happiness, as this undoubtedly was. She had always known she must give her up, but this had come upon her rather soon.
"A great deal too soon, mamma; I cannot
