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204 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

" Then Nitrates have turned up trumps, as you city men say," remarked Jenny.

" They have," said Sam, " and next week they may land me another thirty thousand for all I know, and I have not a single losing investment ; but to-day, unfortunately, is this week, not last, eh, Mrs. Milbanke? "

" You are a very good fellow, Mr. Selwyn, and we shall always be glad to see you at Westbury Lodge."

"And you will apologize to Dolly for me, won't you ? "

" I include Dolly, when I say we shall always be glad to see you at Westbury Lodge. I must go and speak to Lady Forsyth. Good-bye, if we don't meet again ; we are going soon." She gave him her hand. " Walter always said you would get on. You are cautious and clever. I congratulate you on your good fortune. Come and see us soon ; we must always be good friends."

"Thank you, Mrs. Milbanke," said Selwyn, pressing the plump, generous little hand.

And both drifted away in different directions. Selwyn found himself hushed into silence while a lady of the opera sang a mournful love song that made him feel lonely, and Mrs. Milbanke hurried to Dolly to tell her what Selwyn had said. Dolly remarked that she was very glad to hear of Mr. Selwyn's good fortune ; she should always take an interest in him ; she was not in the least offended at what he had said ; she had turned away from him because she thought it was the right thing to do ; but she really felt complimented, because it was clear that he envied Philip. - " And Philip ? " said Jenny.

" Oh, he is very good, awfully penitent, says he never saw me look so lovely, is quite ready for Venice or any- where else so long as I am there, his apparent neglect was really anxiety for his art because he wants to be worthy of me, and indeed he was ever so good, he has gone to be presented to one of his mother's foreign friends. Why, here is Walter ! "