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296 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

" My dear Jenny," said Walter, " you are beside your- self. It is his artistic temperament that is at fault, not his heart. And what do you mean by * match-making sister ? ' You have done nothing to force this engagement."

" Yes, I have j yes, I have," said Jenny quickly. " Sam Swinford says there is an underlying stratum of snobbish- ness in what we call our social life in London ; he is right, and we have sacrificed Dolly to that wretched fetish."

" My dear, my dear," said Walter, " don't excite your- self. People are looking at us."

" Philip isn't," said Jenny, " he has eyes for no one but that woman. Look at our poor Dolly she sees it ; so does the countess."

" Well, well," said Walter, " my dear, becalm. For heaven's sake, don't let us have a scene. We will leave."

4f But the gondola? " said Jenny.

" Oh, that's all right," said Walter.

" I mean the procession I don't know what I mean. Were we not going out to join the company on the canal ? "

" Oh, yes," said Walter, " and we will if you will be calm. There is no chance of saying or doing anything at present ; we will talk it over. I will discuss it with Philip. Don't let us lead up to the usual criticism of the English abroad. Here comes Dolly."

" And there goes Philip," said Jenny. " He is crazy."

" He is looking for Dolly," said Walter.

" Not he." said Jenny.

" But he is, my dear," said Walter, " see, he is turning now." At which moment Philip came towards them, following Dolly, who answered the inquiring gaze of her sister with a defiant expression in her eyes, but not without tears.

" My dear, there is something wrong," said Jenny, draw- ing Dolly on one side, " your instinct was right ; I have