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 "The Tullislaiths have more ambitious views for their daughter, and Croome's beggarly five thousand a year will not soften their hearts."

"Yes, sir," said the uncomprehending Pollyooly politely. "But if you like to try to smooth the path of a hopeless true love, there is nothing against it. So if Captain Croome calls on you to help him, you can do it with a clear conscience, since his lady-love's mamma will see to it that nothing whatever comes of it, and your conscience will never be able to reproach you for having aided two fellow-creatures to marry in haste and repent at leisure."

"No, sir. Thank you, sir," said Pollyooly with a beaming smile, for she gathered that she had his leave to earn more half-crowns as the messenger of love.

That afternoon the, frocks and tunics came from Liberty's; and Pollyooly spent an hour of rapture putting them on and enjoying the fine appearance she and the Lump presented. The next morning she put on the golden frock for the Honorable John Ruffin to admire; and he protested that she surpassed all his dreams of the angels.