I could--but I won't--tell you of many of the very best people who are--well, very much exercised over the matter--I could indeed!" "Do you count yourself among them ?" asked Mary in a cold fashion which would have been a warning to any one but her visitor.

"Am I to understand that, Mrs.Folliot ?" "Certainly not, my dear," answered Mrs.Folliot promptly.

"Otherwise I should not have done what I have done towards establishing the foolish man's innocence!" Mary dropped her work and turned a pair of astonished eyes on Mrs.
Folliot's large countenance.
"You!" she exclaimed.

"To establish--Dr.Ransford's innocence?
Why, Mrs.
Folliot, what have you done ?" Mrs.Folliot toyed a little with the jewelled head of her sunshade.

Her expression became almost coy.
"Oh, well!" she answered after a brief spell of indecision.