But, before she could utter a word, Madonna's hand was on her lips, and Madonna's eyes were fixed with a terrified, imploring expression on her face.

The next instant, the girl's trembling fingers rapidly signed these words: "Pray--pray don't say anything! I would not have you speak to him just now for the world!" Mrs.Blyth hesitated, and looked towards her husband; but he was away at the other end of the room, amusing himself professionally by casting the drapery of the window-curtains hither and thither into all sorts of picturesque folds.

She looked next at Zack.

Just at that moment he was turning his muffin and singing louder than ever.

The temptation to startle him out of his provoking gaiety by a good sharp reproof was almost too strong to be resisted; but Mrs.Blyth forced herself to resist it, nevertheless, for Madonna's sake.