"When does Mr. Felix Briarfield arrive?" I asked Rose, as we ascended the stairs. "I don't know the name, sir," she said with an obvious effort. "You don't know the name," I repeated, seeing she was lying, "yet Mr. Francis Briarfield is here to meet his brother." "It may be so, sir! But I know nothing about it. Mr. Briarfield is a stranger to me, like yourself." "It is to be hoped you received him more willingly than you did me." My words fell on the empty air, for after her last remark she hastily departed. I mechanically attended to my wants, and wondered what could be the meaning of the girl's attitude. "She knows Miss Bellin and Felix Briarfield," I thought, "perhaps not personally, but at least their names. She is also aware of the intended visit of Felix to this place. I must find out from Francis the reason of that visit, and it may throw some light on the demeanor of Rose. I am glad I came here to-night, for that landlord is scarcely a person to be trusted. Certainly my presentiment of romance is coming true." When I descended to the dining room I found supper laid, and Francis impatiently awaiting my arrival. A lamp was lighted, and for the first time I saw his face plainly. The alteration in his looks and demeanor since our college days was astonishing. Felix had always been the graver of the twins, and it was the distinguishing mark between them. Now the livelier spirits of Francis had calmed down to a subdued gravity which made the resemblance between them still greater. We seated ourselves at the table in silence, and he colored as he caught my earnest look. "You find me altered?" he asked, with manifest discomposure. "Very much altered, and more like Felix than ever!" "I haven't seen him for over a year," said Briarfield abruptly, "so I don't know if the resemblance is still strong." "It is stronger," I answered emphatically. "I saw Felix two months ago, and now I look at you to-night I can scarcely believe it is Francis, and not Felix seated before me." "We are alike to outward view, Denham, but I hope our natures are different." "What do you mean?" "Felix," said he, with marked deliberation, "is a thief, a liar, and a dishonorable man!" "You speak strongly!" "I have reason to." "The before-mentioned reason, Briarfield," said I, alluding to the feminine element. "Yes! By the way," he added feverishly, "you said Miss Bellin was known to you." "In a casual way only. She is a society beauty, and I have met her once or twice; also her very silly mother. The latter is as remarkable for folly as the former is for beauty. Well, Briarfield, and what about Miss Bellin?" "I was engaged to her." "You are engaged to her?" "I said I 'was,'" he replied, with emphasis; "now she is engaged to my brother." "Of her own free will?" "I don't know," said Briarfield, "I really don't know. When I went to Chili I was her affianced lover. Now I return and learn that she is to marry my brother." "What explanation does he make?"