Mrs. Octagon laughed good-naturedly.  "Nonsense, child. I am only telling you my thoughts. Selina is such a strange woman and keeps such strange company that she won't end in the usual way. You may be sure of that. But, after all, if she does die, you will come in for her money and then, can marry Cuthbert Mallow." 

 Juliet shuddered.  "I hope Aunt Selina will live for many a long day, if that is what you think," she said sharply.  "I want none of her money. Cuthbert has money of his own, and his uncle is rich also." 

 "I really hope Cuthbert has enough to justify him gambling." 

 "He does not gamble," said Juliet quickly. 

 "Yes he does," insisted Mrs. Octagon.  "I have heard rumors; it is but right you should hear about—" 

 "I want to hear nothing. I thought you liked Cuthbert." 

 "I do, and he is a good match. But I should like to see you accept the Poet Arkwright, who will yet be the Shakespeare of England." 

 "England has quite enough glory with the Shakespeare she has," rejoined Juliet tartly, "and as to Mr. Arkwright, I wouldn't marry him if he had a million. A silly, ugly, weak—" 

 "Stop!" cried Mrs. Octagon, rising majestically from her throne.  "Do not malign genius, lest the gods strike you dumb. Child—" 

 What Mrs. Octagon was about to say further must remain ever a mystery, for it was at this moment that her husband hurried into the room with an evening paper in his hand.  "My dear," he said, his scanty hair almost standing on end with horror, "such dreadful news. Your aunt, Juliet, my dear—" 

 "Selina," said Mrs. Octagon quietly, "go on. There is nothing bad I don't expect to hear about Selina. What is it?" 

 "She is dead!" 

 "Dead!" cried Juliet, clasping her hands nervously.  "No!" 

 "Not only dead, but murdered!" cried Mr. Octagon. His wife suddenly dropped into her throne and, being a large fleshly woman, her fall shook the room. Then she burst into tears. "I never liked Selina," she sniffed, "even though she was my own sister, but I am sorry—I am dreadfully—oh, dear me! Poor Selina!" 

 By this time all the dramatic posing of Mrs. Octagon had gone by the wall, and she showed herself in her true 

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