"And you haven't seen them for a long time?"

"No, I was in Ireland two years, and then I went to Italy. This was
the first time I saw them since they were really grown up."

"And you say they are beautiful girls and will have large fortunes."

"Yes, I suppose Maggie is a good-looking girl; she is more a
fascinating girl than a beautiful girl." A sudden remembrance of
Lizzie Baker dictated this opinion of Maggie Brookes.

"Dinner is on the table, my lady."

"I think you said in your letter that you were going to have two young
girls staying with you."

"Yes, but they could not come; they were to have been here on Monday. I
am very sorry; had I known for certain that you were coming, I would
have arranged to have some one to meet you."

"I am very glad you didn't." The conversation dropped. "You said you
were going to the theatre. What theatre are you thinking of going to?"

"My neuralgia put all thoughts of the theatre out of my head. I have a
box for the Gaiety. We will go if you like."

The name of the theatre reminded him of Lizzie Baker, and he compared
the pale, refined face of the bar girl with the over-coloured woman--
his hostess. He had not seen Lizzie for a long time. Why had he not