Do not let me have to complain of your behaviour again!" Gracie's cheeks were crimson, her violet eyes blazing with resentment; and Avery, dreading an outburst, laid a gentle restraining hand upon her shoulder for an instant.
The action was well-meant, but its results were unfortunate.

Gracie impulsively seized and kissed the hand with enthusiasm.

"All right, Avery dear," she said with pointed docility.
Mr.Lorimer's brows rose a little higher, but being momentarily at a loss for a suitable comment he contented himself with a return to Avery's correspondence.
"The other letter," he said, "bears the well-known crest of the Evesham family.

Ah, Mrs.Denys!" he shook his head at her.

"Now, what does that portend ?" "What is the crest ?" asked Avery, briskly cutting another slice.
"The devil," said Gracie.
"My dear!" remonstrated Mrs.Lorimer, with a nervous glance towards her husband.
The Reverend Stephen was smiling, but in a fashion she did not quite like.