either of them be but for me? Are you not sorry for me?"

"Why,--I--you must excuse me, I am not sure I understand----"

"Yes, you understand, perfectly well. You know the girls slight me and snub me every chance they get. But it will not always be thus. To-morrow----"

"Come, Aunt Lucy," pleaded Pauline, "let us have some music. You know there are some new records, just arrived to-day. Let us hear them."

"Are there new records? Did you get the ones I wanted?"

"Some of them. We couldn't get them all."

"Oh, no, of course not! But if _you_ had wanted certain records they would have been found!"

"But, Auntie Lucy, we couldn't get them if they aren't made, could we? Gray tried his best."

"Oh, tried his best! He forgot to ask for them, so he says he 'tried his best,' to excuse his carelessness. If Anita had wanted them----"

The starting of the music drowned further flow of the lady's grievances.

II

A CLASH OF TONGUES

True to its reputation for calming the impulses of the turbulent spirit, the music soothed Miss Carrington's ruffled temper, and she waxed amiable and even gay. Enthroned on her favorite red velvet chair, resplendent in an elaborately decorated gown of sapphire blue satin, with her bright auburn locks piled high and topped by an enormous comb of carved tortoiseshell, she dominated the little group and gave orders that must be obeyed. She wore, among other jewels, a magnificent rope of pearls. So remarkable were these, that the Count, who had never seen them before, ventured to refer to them.

"Yes," agreed Miss Carrington, "they are wonderful. Practically priceless, I assure you. It took my agent years to collect them."

"And you grace an informal home evening with these regal gems?"

"Not usually, no. But you know, Count Charlier, pearls must be worn frequently to preserve their lustre. Laid away a long time, they grow dead and dull-looking."

"You keep them here? Is it safe, think you?"

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