Miss Baddeley wrung Miss Crofton's hand, and visibly quivered.

Merton assumed an air of sympathy. 'The situation is grave?' he asked.

'My friend,' said Miss Crofton, thoroughly enjoying herself, 'is the
victim of passionate and unavailing remorse, are you not, Julia?' Julia
nodded.

'Deeply as I sympathise,' said Merton, 'it appears to me that I am
scarcely the person to consult. A mother now--'

'Julia has none.'

'Or a father or sister?'

'But for me, Julia is alone in the world.'

'Then,' said Merton, 'there are many periodicals especially intended for
ladies. There is _The Woman of the World_, _The Girl's Guardian Angel_,
_Fashion and Passion_, and so on. The Editors, in their columns, reply
to questions in cases of conscience. I have myself read the replies to
_Correspondents_, and would especially recommend those published in a
serial conducted by Miss Annie Swan.'

Miss Crofton shook her head.

'Miss Baddeley's social position is not that of the people who are
answered in periodicals.'