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 least suspicion of emphasis marking the "unswerving," and Morton winced.

"He asked me to whom Victoria was indebted for these fascinating little innuendoes and open remarks, and I told him just what every one else has, namely, that Victoria's dear friend, Miss Ford, was at the bottom of it all. 'What!' exclaimed old Morris, 'Philippa Ford? Why, she wouldn't dare! I saw her myself go up-stairs with that Valdeck in Gagano's restaurant, where no decent woman ever goes! She couldn't afford to speak ill of any one!' 'Well,' I answered, 'she has.' 'Then,' said your uncle Morris, 'I'll be hanged if I don't prove she isn't to be believed!'" Morton swung round in his seat as if he had been hit, and faced his companion, white to the lips.

"Kindly remember I am engaged to Miss Ford," he said, slowly, dizzied with indignation.

Mrs. Durham sighed. "I'm trying to prepare you for what you are bound to get from Courncey, who has, I have learned, a very just perception of things, and a wonderfully fine vocabulary with which to clothe it. To continue, I begged him to 244