“No; mamma and I both escaped unhurt, though my maid had one arm badly broken. I can just remember Lady Linton; mamma took me to see her just before we left the place; I was sure I had heard the name before, when Mr. Hamilton mentioned her to me one day last week, but I could not place it.” “I wonder——” began Lillian, excitedly, and then she suddenly checked herself. She was just upon the point of saying, “I wonder if your mother was the lady who was so kind to mamma while she was so ill.” Lady Linton had been obliged to confirm her physician’s statements to her son when he arrived, that a brave woman had saved her life at the time of the accident, and then carefully and faithfully nursed her through a critical crisis afterward; but she pretended not to know her name and never mentioned her again, though Percy and his sister often spoke of the circumstance with considerable curiosity and interest. Virgie raised questioning eyes, as Lillian cut herself short, and she felt compelled to complete her sentence in some way, so she said: “I wonder there were not more lives lost at that time; it must have been a shocking accident. But have you seen Lady Dunforth’s Japanese curiosities, Miss Alexander?” “No, I have not,” Virgie answered, thinking her new acquaintance had changed the subject rather abruptly. “Then let me take you to examine them, Vir—Miss Alexander,” Rupert interposed, eagerly, glad of an excuse to get her again to himself, and Virgie, bowing a graceful adieu to Lillian, took his arm and allowed him to lead her from the room. Lillian watched them with an angry, aching heart, but she was obliged to conceal her feelings, for she knew that others were observing her, and not for the world would she have her jealous fears suspected; so it was not long before she was again the life and center of an admiring circle. Rupert led Virgie to a small room opposite the drawing-room, which had been fitted up in Japanese style, and where many curiosities and choice bric-a-brac from that country had been collected and tastefully arranged. It was a lovely room, and Virgie was delighted with its unique treasures. The lovers spent some time examining the different objects and in the enjoyment of each other’s society, and they had nearly made the round of the room when someone put aside the curtains of the door-way and entered. Rupert glanced up, and then started forward, his face lighting with a smile of pleasure. “Uncle Will,” he cried, “I did not know that you were coming here to-night. When did you arrive?” “Only a few moments ago,” returned Sir William Heath, regarding his ward affectionately. “I did not expect that I should be able to accept Lady Dunforth’s invitation; in fact, I told Miriam I could not, but I managed to get through my business somewhat earlier than usual, and so concluded to drop in here for a little relaxation.”