But her visitor's face remained grave. "It may come to that," she said, and her sweet lips trembled. Susannah Chressham looked at her, thinking of nothing but the frail and endearing beauty she saw. Selina had taken off her black lace pelisse, and from head to foot was in white, fine lawn, that billowed round the gilt chair. Her silk parasol, of the blue of a forget-me-not, rested against her knee, and at her breast was a cream-tinted rose. "You are very serious," said Miss Chressham tenderly. "I think I have a serious matter to deal with," breathed Miss Boyle. There was a moment's pause. Susannah poured out the tea; the pleasant sound of the cups as they touched one another and the whispering of her silks filled the silence. Then Miss Boyle spoke again, with an effort. "My dear," she said pleadingly, "you must forgive me for coming to you. Had I had anyone else--But in town I know none, and I dare not go to my father or to--the persons concerned." Miss Chressham set down the cup she held. "Why, what is the matter?" she asked finally, startled at the other's tone. Selina Boyle clasped her hands on her lap. "What will you think of me?" she cried. "Do not let me entirely lose your good opinion; I am sufficiently distressed and humbled." "I implore you to enlighten me," answered Miss Chressham. "You agitate me, Selina." Miss Boyle opened her reticule and drew out a copy of the _Gazette_. "This was found by my maid this morning. What am I to do? What _am_ I to do, Susannah?" She unfolded the paper and pointed to a paragraph on the front page. "Read it," she said in a voice almost inaudible. "This duel between Mr. Markham and Captain Galton?" asked Miss Chressham, staring at the closely printed sheet. "No, no! Below--look below." Susannah obeyed, and read the following sentences: "The next item from the Beau Monde has been Communicated to Us by a Lady of Fashion whose Authority is beyond Reproach. It concerns the Happy Advent of Miss S--l--a B----le of _Bristol_ into Town. The Cause of her Coming, it seems, is not that She may be, as her Friends expected, united to her Cousin, Sir Fr----is B----le. This Match has been Broken off, owing to the Lady's Affection for a Noble Lord who is well known for his Success in Affairs of the Heart. His Lordship being so far Infatuated as to Request Miss S--l--a B----le in a Passionate Letter not to Marry her Cousin, she in a Reply equally Warm, gave the Desired Pledge, though it might have been supposed that His Lordship would allow the Lady the Liberty he had taken to Himself in making a Marriage of Convenience. The Friends of Miss S--l--a B----le and the Admirers of the Earl of L--dw----d Await with interest a Further Development of this Romance, the Course of which we Hope to be able to inform our Readers upon in a future Time." Miss Chressham laid the paper down. Her eyes darkened and her cheeks blanched; she averted her glance from Selina Boyle.