This divination of the past gave them all a chance for another laugh, and Dan's sisters began to reconcile themselves to the fact of his engagement, if not to Miss Pasmer. In what was abstractly so disagreeable there was the comfort that they could joke about his happiness; they had not felt free to make light of his misery when he was at home before. They began to ask all the questions they could think of as to how and when, and they assimilated the fact more and more in acquiring these particulars and making a mock of them and him. “Of course you haven't got her photograph,” suggested Eunice. “You know we've never had the pleasure of meeting the young lady yet.” “Yes,” Dan owned, blushing, “I have. She thought I might like to show it to mother: But it isn't--” “A very good one--they never are,” said Minnie. “And it was taken several years ago--they always are,” said Eunice. “And she doesn't photograph well, anyway.” “And this one was just after a long fit of sickness.” Dan drew it out of his pocket, after some fumbling for it, while he tolerated their gibes. Eunice put her nose to it. “I hope it's your cigarettes it smells of,” she said. “Yes; she doesn't use the weed,” answered Dan. “Oh, I didn't mean that, exactly,” returned his sister, holding the picture off at arm's length, and viewing it critically with contracted eyes. Dan could not help laughing. “I don't think it's been near any other cigar-case,” he answered tranquilly. Minnie looked at it very near to, covering all but the face with her hand. “Dan, she's lovely!” she cried, and Dan's heart leaped into his throat As he gratefully met his sister's eyes. “You'll like her, Min.” Eunice took the photograph from her for a second scrutiny. “She's certainly very stylish. Rather a beak of a nose, and a little too bird--like on the whole. But she isn't so bad. Is it like her?” she asked with a glance at her father. “I might say--after looking,” he replied. “True! I didn't know but Dan had shown it to you as soon as you met. He seemed to be in such a hurry to let us all know.” The father said, “I don't think it flatters her,” and he looked at it more carefully. “Not much of her mother there?” he suggested to Dan. “No, sir; she's more like her father.” “Well, after all this excitement, I believe I'll have another cup of tea, and take something to eat, if Miss Pasmer's photograph doesn't object,” said Eunice, and she replenished her cup and plate. “What coloured hair and eyes has she, Dan?” asked Minnie. He had to think so as to be exact. “Well, you might say they were black, her eyebrows are so dark. But I believe they're a sort of greyish-blue.” “Not an uncommon colour for eyes,” said Eunice, “but rather peculiar for hair.” They got to making fun of the picture, and Dan told them about Alice and her family; the father left them at the table, and then came back with word from Dan's mother that she was ready to see him. XXX.