Naturally, it was not very long before the attention of numerous other ladies was directed to Mr. Francis Barold. It was observed that he took no share in the festivities, that he did not regain his natural air of enviable indifference to his surroundings,--that he did not approach Octavia Bassett until all was over, and she was on the point of going home. What he said to her then, no one heard. "I am going to London to-morrow. Good-by." "Good-by," she answered, holding out her hand to him. Then she added quickly, in an under-tone, "You oughtn't to think badly of me. You won't, after a while." As they drove homeward, she was rather silent, and Miss Belinda remarked it. "I am afraid you are tired, Octavia," she said. "It is a pity that Martin should come, and find you tired." "Oh! I'm not tired. I was only--thinking. It has been a queer day." "A queer day, my dear!" ejaculated Miss Belinda. "I thought it a charming day." "So it has been," said Octavia, which Miss Belinda thought rather inconsistent. Both of them grew rather restless as they neared the house. "To think," said Miss Belinda, "of my seeing poor Martin again!" "Suppose," said Octavia nervously, as they drew up, "suppose they are here--already." "They?" exclaimed Miss Belinda. "Who"--but she got no farther. A cry burst from Octavia,--a queer, soft little cry. "They are here," she said: "they are! Jack--Jack!" And she was out of the carriage; and Miss Belinda, following her closely, was horrified to see her caught at once in the embrace of a tall, bronzed young man, who, a moment after, drew her into the little parlor, and shut the door. Mr. Martin Bassett, who was big and sunburned, and prosperous-looking, stood in the passage, smiling triumphantly. "M--M--Martin!" gasped Miss Belinda. "What--oh, what does this mean?" Martin Bassett led her to a seat, and smiled more triumphantly still. "Never mind, Belinda," he said. "Don't be frightened. It's Jack Belasys, and he's the finest fellow in the West. And she hasn't seen him for two years." "Martin," Miss Belinda fluttered, "it is not proper--it really isn't." "Yes, it is," answered Mr. Bassett; "for he's going to marry her before we go abroad." It was an eventful day for all parties concerned. At its close Lady Theobald found herself in an utterly bewildered and thunderstruck condition. And to Mr. Dugald Binnie, more than to any one else, her demoralization was due. That gentleman got into the carriage, in rather a better humor than usual. "Same man I used to know," he remarked. "Glad to see him. I knew him as soon as I set eyes on him." "Do you allude to Mr. Burmistone?"