the paper. "Had I not better go down to Rose Cottage and
offer my services?"

"No," said Mrs. Octagon sharply, "don't mix yourself up in
this dreadful affair. Few people know that Selina was my
sister, and I don't want everyone to be condoling with me on
this tragedy."

"But we must do something," said Juliet quickly.

"We will wait, my dear. But I don't want more publicity than
is necessary."

"But I have told some of our friends that Aunt Selina is a
relative."

"Then you should not have done so," replied her mother,
annoyed. "However, people soon forget names, and the thing
may not be noticed."

"My dear," said Octagon, seriously, "you should not be
ashamed of your sister. She may not have your renown nor rank,
still--"

"I know my own knowing," interrupted the lady rather
violently, and crushing her meek husband with a look. "Selina
and I are strangers, and have been for years. What are the
circumstances of the case? I have not seen Selina for over
fifteen years. I hear nothing about her. She suddenly writes
to me, asking if my dear children may call and see her--that