I was saying that the other day to Gertrude," Felix added.

"I hope it was not indiscreet." "If it was," said Mr.Wentworth, with a keener irony than Felix would have thought him capable of, "it was but your way of amusing yourself.

I am afraid you have never had a trouble." "Oh, yes, I have!" Felix declared, with some spirit; "before I knew better.

But you don't catch me at it again." Mr.Wentworth maintained for a while a silence more expressive than a deep-drawn sigh.

"You have no children," he said at last.
"Don't tell me," Felix exclaimed, "that your charming young people are a source of grief to you!" "I don't speak of Charlotte." And then, after a pause, Mr.Wentworth continued, "I don't speak of Gertrude.