'Mrs.Goodman--I must tell her! Paula, Mr.Som--' 'He's dead!' cried Paula, sinking into a chair and turning as pale as marble.

'Is he dead ?--tell me!' she whispered.
'No, no--he's not dead--he is very well, and gone to Normandy for a holiday!' 'O--I am glad to hear it,' answered Paula, with a sudden cool mannerliness.
'He has been misrepresented,' said Mrs.Goodman.

'That's all.' 'Well ?' said Paula, with her eyes bent on the floor.
'I have been feeling that I ought to tell you clearly, dear Paula,' declared her friend.

'It is absolutely false about his telegraphing to you for money--it is absolutely false that his character is such as that dreadful picture represented it.

There--that's the substance of it, and I can tell you particulars at any time.' But Paula would not be told at any time.