"I never considered from the beginning that he was really in love. I've seen lots of engaged people, and he wasn't a bit like them. He used to ask us to go about with you, and be quite disappointed if we wouldn't, and most couples like to be alone, and make faces at one another when they think you are not looking, to say they wish you would run away. I've had experience, for last summer we stayed two months in a hydropathic." "Perhaps he really did care for you at first, but was disappointed when he got to know you better!" This from Christabel; while Agatha chimed in with an eager-- "But you are glad, dear, aren't you, to think he is not heart-broken? It makes it easier for you when he doesn't care!" Plainly there was no comfort forthcoming for Miss Lilias from the members of her own family! Meanwhile Jim was seeing his friend off at the railway station, and administering such sympathy as was deserved for Ned's business reverses, while eclipsing his sisters in candour on the subject of the broken engagement. "If you would be a fool, you must be prepared to suffer for it. Never was more surprised in my life than to hear of it, when it first came off. Thought you had gone off your head. When I was at home with you last, there was no sign of such nonsense. Can't think what on earth possessed you!" "She was so pretty and charming, and seemed so much interested in all I did! Vanity was at the bottom of it, I suppose. I was flattered and interested, just when I was down on my luck, and needed it most. I--I-- I must make a clean breast of it, Jim, and tell you the truth! Of course, it was Maud I cared for first; I can see now that I have loved her all through, but she was so reserved with me, and kept me at such a distance, that I thought she wanted to show me that I had no chance. Then Lilias came home, and I was captivated by her lovely face and pretty ways. She seemed to turn to me for advice and sympathy, to be so pleased to see me, so sorry when I left, that--that--ah, well, you know the rest! I was a fool, as I daresay many a man has been before me; and though I was miserable enough, I never discovered why, until Lilias herself pointed it out. She accused me of caring for Maud more than for her--in Maud's presence, too--when we three were alone together!" Jim's lips met in a significant whistle. "The little wretch! She ought to be shaken! My poor old Maud, that was rough on her. What did she do or say?"