"You would not mind coming with me this evening, would you, aunt ?" "Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs.Hornby, and she was about to enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch, declared that she must start on her errand at once.

I also rose to make my adieux, and she then remarked-- "If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr.Jervis, we might arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along." I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds later we left the house together, leaving Mrs.Hornby smiling fatuously after us from the open door.
"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think ?" Miss Gibson asked, as we walked up the street.
"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered.

"If anything should render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram.

I could wish that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference." Miss Gibson laughed softly--and a very pleasant and musical laugh it was.
"Yes," she agreed.

"Dear Mrs.Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and generosity from her as I have." "I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am.