of beauty among them all; finally to the head of the table where sat his wife. “I must congratulate you, dear,” he said heartily. “It is the prettiest sight I have seen for a long time. You have arranged admirably, but that's no new thing; you always do. I don't know where you get your ideas. These wreaths--eh? I've never seen anything like them before. What made you think of fastening them up there?” “I have had them like that several times before, but you never notice a thing until its novelty is over, and I am tired to death of seeing it,” said his wife with a frown, and an impatient curve of the lip as if she had received a rebuke instead of a compliment. Peggy stared at her plate, felt Robert shuffle on his chair by her side, and realised that he was as embarrassed and unhappy as herself. The beautiful room with its luxurious appointments seemed to have suddenly become oppressive and cheerless, for in it was the spirit of discontent and discord between those who should have been most in harmony. Esther was shocked, Mellicent frightened, the boys looked awkward and uncomfortable. No one ventured to break the silence, and there was quite a long pause before Lady Darcy spoke again in quick, irritable tones. “Have you arranged to get away with me on Thursday, as I asked you?” “My dear, I cannot. I explained before. I am extremely sorry, but I have made appointments which I cannot break. I could take you next week if you would wait.” “I can't wait. I told you I had to go to the dentist's. Do you wish me to linger on in agony for another week? And I have written to Mrs. Bouverie that I will be at her ‘At Home’ on Saturday. My appointments are, at least, as binding as yours. It isn't often that I ask you to take me anywhere, but when it is a matter of health, I do think you might show a little consideration.” Lord Darcy drew his brows together and bit his moustache. Peggy recalled Robert's description of the “governor looking wretched” when he found himself compelled to refuse a favour, and did not wonder that the lad was ready to deny himself a pleasure rather than see that expression on his father's face. The twinkling light had died out of his eyes and he looked old, and sad, and haggard, far more in need of physical remedies than his wife, whose “agony” had been so well concealed during the last two hours as to give her the appearance of a person in very comfortable health. Rosalind alone looked absolutely unruffled, and lay back in her chair nibbling at her bon-bon as though such scenes were of too frequent occurrence between her parents to be deserving of attention. “If you have made up your mind to go to-morrow, and cannot go alone, you must take Robert with you, Beatrice, for I cannot leave. It is only for four days, and Mr. Asplin will no doubt excuse him if you write and explain the circumstances.”