energetic appeal to her mother (who had been dead and buried for the last fifteen years) to “wake her early” on the ensuing first of May. Just as she was assuring the company that “she had been wild and wayward, but she was not wayward now,” a couple entered the room, and apparently wishing not to disturb the melody, seated themselves on a sofa in a retired corner which chanced to be nearly opposite to the recess of which Leicester had taken possession; thus, although the whole length of the music-room intervened, he could (himself unseen) catch occasional glimpses of this sofa as the ever-changing groups of loungers formed and dispersed themselves. The occupants of the seat were Miss Peyton and De Grandeville; and could Charles Leicester have overheard the following conversation the passive annoyance with which he observed the colloquy might have given place to a more active sentiment. “Ar--really,” remarked De Grandeville, “that is a very--ar--touching, pathetic song----” “Murdered,” observed Miss Peyton, quietly finishing his sentence for him. “Ar--eh--yes, of course, I was going to--ar--that is, your exquisite taste has--ar--in fact--ar--beyond a doubt the woman is committing murder.” “Recollect, the ‘woman,’ as you are pleased to call her, is my particular friend, Mr. De Grandeville,” returned his companion with a slight degree of hauteur in her tone. “Ar--yes, of course, that speaks volumes in her favour,” was the rejoinder; “and although it is not every one who is gifted with the--ar--talent of vocalisation, yet the estimable qualities which one seeks in the--ar--endearing relation of friendship may be found--ar--that is, may exist--ar----” “What did you think of the champagne at supper?” interrupted Miss Peyton abruptly. “Really--ar--’pon my word I did not particularly notice it! was--ar--so agreeably situated that I could not devote much attention to the--ar--commissariat department.” “Surely it was unusually strong,” persisted Laura. “Ar--yes, of course you are right, it is no doubt owing to its agreeably exhilarating qualities that it is so universally popular with the fair sex. Were I--ar--so fortunate as to be--ar--a married man, I should always have champagne at my table.” “What a temptation!” returned Miss Peyton, smiling ironically. “Your wife will be an enviable woman, if you mean to indulge her in such luxuries.” “It delights me to hear you say so,” exclaimed De Grandeville eagerly. “If such is your opinion, I am indeed a fortunate man. I had not intended,” he continued in a lower tone, “to speak to you at this early period of our acquaintance on the subject nearest to my heart, but the--ar--very flattering encouragement----” “Sir!” exclaimed Miss Peyton in a tone of indignant surprise.