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 moment for future success. He knew well the evanescent nature of such sudden popularity, and his own inability to sustain the character he had won, when his fame should be trumpeted to other places where better known. Besides, the mask assumed was beginning to be burdensome and he longed for his old freedom from restraint. Only the evening before he had been traced to a place of doubtful fame by one who had long been suspicious of his real character, and the information was communicated to Mr. Livingston. Being one of the assembly, it was with ill concealed grace the latter listened to his hypocritical dashes of rhetoric. The two measured each other's glances as they met in the neighborhood of Miss Blanche. They read each other's souls, and she read their antagonism.

At this juncture Mrs. Frizzlewit fortunately made her appearance and relieved all parties from their embarrassment. Mr. Carleton was about to turn away somewhat disconcerted at the moment he hoped to win, but not in the least disheartened. Miss Blanche could not doubt the real, confiding friendship of the one and she dared not insult it by bestowing on the other those approving smiles prompted by the occasion and the lingering breath of his own words, which, with that delicate tact a woman so readily understands, she knew he would appreciate more than popular applause. He read her soul, being as quick an adept in the science of human nature as Mr. Livingston.

"Mr. Carleton," said the little black-eyed woman whose hair suggested the appropriateness of her