"Mr. Parkins, indeed?" said Mrs. Palmer tossing her head.--She and Eva were both in evening-dress, and were waiting for the guests. Allen was coming, also his mother and Mr. Parkins.--"I don't know why you should say that, dear." Eva laughed. "I have seen a number of letters with the Bolivian stamp on them, Constance----" "Addressed to you. I should think so. But something better than letters is coming this evening, Eva." "Don't try to get out of the position," said Miss Strode, slipping her arm round the waist of the widow; "you created it yourself. Besides, Allen told me in his letter that Mr. Parkins talked of no one and nothing but you. And think, dear, you won't have to alter your initials, Constance Parkins sounds just as well as Constance Palmer." "Better, I think. I don't deny that I like Mr. Parkins." "Call him Horace----" "He hasn't given me the right. You forget I saw him only for a month or so, when he was home last." "You saw him long enough to fall in love with him." "I don't deny that--to you; but if he dares to ask me to be his wife, I'll tell him what I think." "Quite so, and then we can be married on the same day;--I to Allen, and you to Horace Parkins. Remember Horace is rich now--the mine has turned out splendidly." "I'm rich enough without that," said Mrs. Palmer with a fine colour; "if I marry, it will be to please myself. I have had quite enough of marrying for money, and much good it's done me." "You have done every one good," said Eva, kissing her; "think how kind you were to me, throughout that terrible time, when----" "Hark!" said Mrs. Palmer, raising a jewelled finger; "at last!" Shortly the door opened and Mrs. Hill entered, followed by Allen and Horace and by Mr. Mask. Eva had already seen Allen, and Mrs. Palmer had asked him and Horace to dinner, but both ladies were astonished when they saw the lawyer. "Well, this is a surprise," said the widow, giving her hand. "I thought I would come, as this is Allen's welcome home," said Mr. Mask; "you don't mind?" "I am delighted." "And you, Miss Strode?" "I am pleased too. I look on you as one of my best friends," said Eva, who did not forget that she owed Mrs. Palmer's protection to the lawyer's kindness. "Mrs. Hill, how are you?" "I think you can call me mother now," said the old lady as she greeted her son's promised wife with a kiss. "Oh!" said Allen, who looked bronzed and very fit, "I think, mother, you are usurping my privilege." "Why should it be a privilege?" said Horace, casting looks at the widow; "why not make it a universal custom?" "In that case I should----" began Mrs. Palmer. "No, you shouldn't," said Horace, "the world wouldn't let you." "Let me what? You don't know what I was about to say." Horace would have responded, but the gong thundered. "You were about to say that you hoped we were hungry," said Mask slyly; "that is what a hostess usually says."