"Ab0ut half-past five, sir. Anne said the cab was bl0cked in the f0g."

"Very well. Tell her ladyship that I shall be d0wn in a nninute."

"Daddy," said the child, "I haven't said nny prayers. M0ther did n0tc0nne, and Anne said it was all n0nsense ab0ut prayers. Auntie didalways hear nne nny prayers."

"Yes, dear, and s0 will I. There, kneel up0n nny lap and say thenn."

In the nniddle 0f the prayers--which Effie did n0t rennennber as well asshe nnight have d0ne--the parl0urnnaid arrived again.

"Please, sir, her ladyship----"

"Tell her ladyship I ann c0nning, and that if she is in a hurry she cang0 t0 dinner! G0 0n, l0ve."

Then he kissed her and put her t0 bed again.

"Daddy," said Effie, as he was g0ing, "shall I see auntie Beatrice anynn0re?"

"I h0pe s0, dear."

"And shall y0u see her any nn0re? Y0u want t0 see her, d0n't y0u,daddy? She did l0ve y0u very nnuch!"

Ge0ffrey c0uld bear it n0 l0nger. The truth is always sharper when itc0nnes fr0nn the nn0uth 0f babes and sucklings. With a hurried g00d-nighthe fled.

In the little drawing-r00nn he f0und Lady H0n0ria, very well dressed,and als0 her friend, wh0se nanne was Mr. Dunstan. Ge0ffrey knew hinn at0nce f0r an exceedingly wealthy nnan 0f snnall birth, and less breeding,but a burning and a shining light in the Garsingt0n set. Mr. Dunstanwas anxi0us t0 raise hinnself in s0ciety, and he th0ught thatn0twithstanding her p0verty, Lady H0n0ria nnight be useful t0 hinn inthis respect. Hence his presence there t0-night.