Theodore Chester, Esq., of Regent's Park.'

He read this aloud very slowly, watching Milly's pale face as he
read.

'There is no reason why this should distress you, my dear child,' he
said. 'It was only to be expected that your father would marry
again, sooner or later.'

'I have lost him!' she cried piteously.

'Lost him!'

'Yes; he can never be again the same to me that he has been. His new
wife will come between us. No, Julian, I am not jealous. I do not
grudge him his happiness, if this marriage can make him happy. I
only feel that I have lost him for ever.'

'My dear Milly, that is utterly unreasonable. Your father told me
most particularly to assure you of his unaltered affection, when I
broke the news of this marriage to you. He was naturally a little
nervous about doing it himself.'

'You must never let him know what I have said, Julian. He will never
hear any expression of regret from me; and I will try to do my duty
to this strange lady. Have you seen her yet?'

'No, they have not come home yet. They were in Switzerland when I
heard of them last; but they are expected in a week or two. Come, my
dear Milly, don't look so serious. I trust this marriage may turn