shops where I can get an engagement, but of course it won't be the
same as here, which has been home for me ever since I was a child.
There! the things that men will do! I've told him plain to his face
that he ought to be ashamed of himself, and so has aunt. And he _is_
ashamed, what's more. Don't you call it disgusting, such a marriage
as that?"

Hilliard avoided the delicate question.

"I shouldn't wonder if it hastens another marriage," he said with a
smile.

"I know what you mean, but the chances are that marriage won't come
off at all. I'm getting tired of men; they're so selfish and
unreasonable. Of course I don't mean you, Mr. Hilliard, but--oh!
you know what I mean."

"Mr. Dally has fallen under your displeasure?"

"Please don't talk about him. If he thinks he's going to lay down
the law to me he'll find his mistake; and it's better he should find
it out before it's too late."

They were interrupted by the entrance of Patty's amorous uncle, who
returned from his billiards earlier than usual to-day. He scowled at
the stranger, but passed into the house without speaking. Hilliard
spoke a hurried word or two about Eve and went his way.

Something less than a week after this he chanced to be away from
home throughout the whole day, and on returning he was surprised to