She'll have been in it over-long for THEIR taste." She had moved, looking off and about her--little Aggie always on her mind--to the flight of steps, where she again hung fire; and had really ended by producing in him the manner of keeping up with her to challenge her.

"Been in what ?" She went down a few steps while he stood with his face full of perceptions strained and scattered.

"Why in the air they themselves have infected for her!" V Late that night, in the smoking room, when the smokers--talkers and listeners alike--were about to disperse, Mr.Longdon asked Vanderbank to stay, and then it was that the young man, to whom all the evening he had not addressed a word, could make out why, a little unnaturally, he had prolonged his vigil.

"I've something particular to say to you and I've been waiting.

I hope you don't mind.