There was a good deal of spiteful meaning in the curate's "ah," and there was no doubt that Mrs. Belswin had made a bitter enemy of this well-meaning but meddlesome young man. Reflections on the part of Mrs. Belswin.--"I've been preaching a sermon to a man whose duty it is to preach one to me. Saul among the prophets this time. I'm not sorry, for I hate those meek young men who make mischief under the pretence of doing good. Why are these clergymen so meddlesome? It's none of his business to enlighten Rupert about Belk. If Belk is dissipated, I know Rupert will find it out quick enough and discharge him. I shouldn't like to be either Rupert or the curate if such a thing does come to pass, for Belk is a most unforgiving man. I can see that in his face. I have made an enemy of this Rev. Meekness. Well, he can't harm me until Rupert comes home, and then--ah well, I'll see." CHAPTER X. A BOUDOIR CONSULTATION. "If two ladies talk together, Be it fine or rainy weather, Subjects three you'll find they handle-- Love, sans diamonds and a carriage, Prospects of a wealthy marriage, Or the latest piece of scandal." What do ladies talk about over five o'clock tea when no male is present? Ah, that is one of the mysteries of Bona Dea, the ritual whereof is known to none of the stronger sex. They doubtless discuss fashions--for no woman, however affecting to despise the pomps and vanities of this world, can contemplate the raiment of another woman without blaming or praising the same, according to taste or price. Very likely they make remarks about their neighbours, and hint, with nods and winks mysteriously suggestive that--well, you know what. Nevertheless, men in their clubs do exactly the same thing, and scandal is by no means monopolized by ladies. However, the question is: What do they talk about?--and as the votaries of the Bona Dea will not tell us, we must be content to accept ambiguous smiles and tightly-closed lips as answer. On this occasion, however, the subject under discussion was love, and four ladies--two married and two unmarried--were talking together on a very pleasant subject; and the subject was the courting of Tommy Valpy by Toby Clendon. "I must admit," said Mrs. Valpy, in her usual heavy fashion, "that I was astonished when the young man spoke to me." "I wasn't," observed Tommy, with a maiden blush. "Ah," from Mrs. Belswin, "forewarned's forearmed. We all know that." "I'm very pleased to hear about it," said Kaituna, putting her arm around Tommy's waist "Mr. Clendon is most delightful." "But not so much so as another person," hinted the engaged young lady, with wicked intuition, whereupon Kaituna grew red, and requested another piece of cake. "Love is all very well," said Mrs. Belswin, who was a practical person; "but it won't keep the pot boiling. Now about his income." "Eight hundred a year," declared Tommy, boldly. "We can live on that."