'lt is Percy Lindon, Violet, your youthful admirer, who followed us to Vienna,' she said, in surprise. ' I believe ir is you he is looking for now. Th're is someone else with him. See, he recognises us !' ' Don't look, Sophie.' ' Why not ? Aron't you well ? ' ' The heat is dreadful.'

' Would you rather we had not, come ? ' ' No, dear ; but please don't t ilk. The music is lovely j but, T certainlv wish Ivor would come and monopolise all your silly gos-ip.' 'You arc very rude, my dear.' ' And you are very annovin<r. Fancv any one coming to the opera to talk scindal!' Sophie laughed softly. ' Fancy anyone nofc talking so indal when the chance occurs!' she siid naively. 'Do vou think Ivor will bring Eoland Gower with him ? ' ' Heaven forbid !' ' Don't you like him ? I thought he was rather a favourite of yours.' 'I like him well enough, hut I sincerely hope not, to be bored with him now.' ' Vou are a curious girl, Violet. Will you never be interested in any one ? ' ' I am interested in many people.' ' Yes, but not enough to ' 'To marry any of them, I suppose you mean D • you think it kind to want to get rid of me? Surely I have deserved better than that from you and Ivor.' * Violet darling, I did not mean that ot all. How could vou ever think it? Inm a little fool. Ivor is al ways telling me of the wrong things Ido or siy; but I think it is that, when one is very happy oneself, oue is apt to wish others could bo so too. Have you ever loved anyone, Violet, and will the Fairy Prince turn up at last ? ' 'He came long ago, dear, and shared the fate of the others. I never heard that he came t»ice.'

' Well, he's very stupid if lie doesn't. To win you he ought to com' twenty times.' There was a little pans?, then Sophie said—

•Then you won't accept Roland Gower?' ' He has not a«ked me.' ■ If he does ? ' said Sop'-ie eagerly. 