them.

"H'm, yes, a good-looking man," agreed Mr. Forbes, as he scrutinised
the photographs. "But, Alicia, you mustn't fall in love with every
operatic tenor you see. I believe this Coriell is a 'matinee idol,'
but don't allow him to engage your young affections."

"Too late with your advice, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia gazed raptly at
the pictures. "I ADORE him! and the fact that my adoration is hopeless
makes it all the more interesting. Oh, isn't he a WONDER!"

Gaily she set the pictures up in front of her, propping them on
glasses or salt cellars, and continued to make mock worship at his
shrine.

"Don't be silly, Alicia," commented her uncle, but she only shook her
head at him, and gave a mournful sigh.

The girls spent the evening much the same as they had done the night
before. They all sat in the stately drawing-room, and endeavoured to
make conversation. But Uncle Jeff was hard to talk to, for he rarely
stuck to one subject for more than five minutes at a time, and
abruptly interrupted the girls when they were trying their best to be
entertaining.

Alicia continued to chatter about her new-found enthusiasm, until her
uncle commanded her to desist.

"May I beg of you, Alicia," he said, sternly, "to cease raving over
that man? He's doubtless old enough to be your father, and would be