amusement with most, and among men is not considered dishonorable or
dangerous. Ladies think differently, I believe, at least in England."

At the word "abroad," Mrs. Snowdon's face brightened, and she suddenly
dropped her eyes, as if afraid of betraying some secret purpose.

"Indeed we do, and well we may, many of us having suffered from this
pernicious habit. I have had special cause to dread and condemn it, and
the fear that Octavia should in time suffer what I have suffered as a
girl urges me to interfere where otherwise I should be dumb. Mr. Annon,
there was a rumor that Maurice was forced to quit Paris, owing to some
dishonorable practices at the gaming table. Is this true?"

"Nay, don't ask me; upon my soul I cannot tell you. I only know that
something was amiss, but what I never learned. Various tales were
whispered at the clubs, and Sir Jasper indignantly denied them all. The
bravery with which Maurice saved his cousin, and the sad affliction
which fell upon him, silenced the gossip, and it was soon forgotten."

Mrs. Snowdon remained silent for a moment, with brows knit in deep
thought, while Annon uneasily watched her. Suddenly she glanced over her
shoulder, drew nearer, and whispered cautiously, "Did the rumors of
which you speak charge him with--" and the last word was breathed into
Annon's ear almost inaudibily.

He started, as if some new light broke on him, and stared at the speaker
with a troubled face for an instant, saying hastily, "No, but now you
remind me that when an affair of that sort was discussed the other day
Treherne looked very odd, and rolled himself away, as if it didn't
interest him. I can't believe it, and yet it may be something of the