The two groaned, and Miss Cecilia Pegall, who was by way of being very religious in a Low Church way, remarked that "all flesh was grass," to which observation her excellent mamma rejoined: "Very true, dear, very true." And then the trio sighed again, and shook their black heads like so many mandarins. "I should never support my grief," continued Lydia, still tearful, "if it was not that I have at least three dear friends. Ah! I shall never forget that happy Christmas Eve!" "Last Christmas Eve, dear Mrs. Vrain?" said Cecilia. "When you were all so kind and good," sobbed Lydia, with a glance at Lucian, to see that he noticed the confirmation. "We played whist, didn't we?" "Four rubbers," groaned Mrs. Pegall, "and retired to bed at ten o'clock, after prayers and a short hymn. Quite a carol that hymn was, eh, dears?" "And your poor pa was so bad with his cough," said Beatrice, "I hope it is better. He went away before dinner, too! Do say your pa is better!" "Yes, dear, much better," said Lydia, and considering it was four months since Christmas Eve, Lucian thought it was time Mr. Clyne recovered. "He enjoyed his tea, though," said Cecilia. "Mr. Clyne always says there is no tea like ours." "And no evenings," cried Lydia, who was very glad there were not. "Poppa and I are coming soon to have a long evening--to play whist again." "But, dear Mrs. Vrain, you are not going?" "I must, dears," with a kiss all round. "I have such a lot to do, and Mr. Denzil is coming with me, as poppa wants to consult him about some law business. He's a barrister, you know." "I hope Mr. Denzil will come and see us again," said Mrs. Pegall, shaking hands with Lucian. A fat, puffy hand she had, and damp. "Oh, delighted! delighted!" said Denzil hurriedly. "Cards and tea, and sensible conversation," said Beatrice seriously, "no more." "You forget prayers at ten, dear," rejoined Cecilia in low tones. "We are a plain family, Mr. Denzil. You must take us as we are." "Thank you, Mrs. Pegall, I will." "Good-bye, dears," cried Lydia again, and with a final peck all round she skipped out and into the hansom, followed by her escort. "Damn!" said Mrs. Vrain, when the cab drove away in the direction of Bayswater. "Oh, don't look so shocked, Mr. Denzil. I assure you I am not in the habit of swearing, but the extreme respectability of the Pegalls always makes me wish to relieve my feelings by going to the other extreme. What do you think of them?" "They seem very good people, and genuine." "And very genteel and dull," retorted Lydia. "Like Washington, they can't tell a lie for a red cent; so you can believe I was there with poppa on Christmas Eve, only he went away, and I stayed all night." "Yes, I believe it, Mrs. Vrain." "Then I couldn't have been in Jersey Street or Geneva Square, sticking Mark with the stiletto?"