sometimes by the depth of my researches."

"I can believe it; your eyes look as if they possessed that gift.
Pray don't study _me_." And the girl shrank away with an air of
genuine alarm.

Treherne smiled involuntarily, for he had read the secret of that
shallow heart long ago, and was too generous to use the knowledge,
however flattering it might be to him. In a reassuring tone he said,
turning away the keen eyes she feared, "I give you my word I never will,
charming as it might be to study the white pages of a maidenly heart. I
find plenty of others to read, so rest tranquil, Miss Blanche."

"Who interests you most just now?" asked the girl, coloring with
pleasure at his words. "Mrs. Snowdon looks like one who has a romance to
be read, if you have the skill."

"I have read it. My lady is my study just now. I thought I knew her
well, but of late she puzzles me. Human minds are more full of
mysteries than any written book and more changeable than the cloud
shapes in the air."

"A fine old lady, but I fear her so intensely I should never dare to try
to read her, as you say." Blanche looked toward the object of discussion
as she spoke, and added, "Poor Tavia, how forlorn she seems. Let me ask
her to join us, may I?"

"With all my heart" was the quick reply.

Blanche glided away but did not return, for my lady kept her as well as