.

MARS CONVALESCENT.
Jane's face was clear as the sky when she handed the letter back to Philip.

In doing so, it struck her that the prolonged directness of his look was peculiar: she attributed it to some effect of the fresh Spring atmosphere on a weakened frame.

She was guessing at his reasons for showing her the letter, and they appeared possibly serious.
'An election to Parliament! Perhaps Mrs.Adister should have a hint of it, to soften the shock I fear it may be: but we must wait till her headache has passed,' she said.
'You read to the end ?' said Philip.
'Yes, Captain Con always amuses me, and I am bound to confess I have no positive disrelish of his compliments.

But this may prove a desperate step.