_Lucy._ [_Sits staring at the paper for a few seconds, then reads slowly._] "Sir Harold had been slightly indisposed for some weeks, but no anxiety was felt until two days ago, when a change for the worse set in, and despite all the care, attention, and skill of Drs. Thornton and Douglas, who hardly left his bedside, he never rallied, and passed peacefully away, at the early age of fifty-eight, at the time above mentioned. It is now thirty years ago since the deceased baronet published his first book, 'Grace: a Sketch,' which had such an immediate and great success. This was followed nearly a year afterwards by 'Alain Treven,' the scene of which is laid in Brittany; and from that time until his death his pen was never idle. His last work, 'The Incoming Tide,' has just been published in book form, it having appeared in the pages of _The Illustrated Courier_ during the last year. Despite the rare power of his later works, disclosing thoroughly, as they do, his scholarly knowledge, his masterly construction, vivid imagination, and his keen insight into character and details of every-day life, they none of them can, for exquisite freshness and rare delicacy of execution, compare with his first publication, 'Grace: a Sketch.' We have before us, as we write, a first edition of this delightful story, with its curiously sentimental dedication 'To my Lady Luce,' which in the subsequent editions was omitted. A baronetcy was conferred on Sir Harold by her Majesty two years ago, at the personal instigation, it is said, of the Prime Minister, who is one of his greatest admirers, but the title is now extinct, as Sir Harold leaves no son. He married in June, 1866, a daughter of the late Sir Humphrey Mockton, who survives him. His two daughters are both married--one to Lord Duncan, eldest son of the Earl of Andstar; the other to Sir Reginald de Laver. His loss will be greatly felt, not only in the literary world, but wherever the English tongue is spoken and read." [Lucy _goes to the bookcase, takes out a book, and opens it_. Agnes _comes in_.] _Agnes._ Franklin is silly. I had to repeat the directions three times, and even now I doubt if she understands them properly. [_Comes behind_ Lucy _and looks over her shoulder_.] Why, I never knew you had a first edition. [Lucy _starts and closes the book, then opens it again_.] May I look at it? But this is written; the ink is quite faded. "To my Lady Luce. Harold Sekbourne, 3rd November, 1863." What a strong handwriting it is! Luce! how strange that the name should be the same as---- [_Looks suddenly at_ Lucy.] Oh, Auntie, forgive me. I never dreamt----I am so sorry. The Head of Minos By J. T. Nettleship _Reproduced by the Swan Electric Engraving Company_ [Illustration: The Head of Minos] A Lost Masterpiece A City Mood, Aug. '93 By George Egerton