"Then you had met her before?" - "Yes; atCoblentz, andatWetzlar, on'the Lahn." •. ::.': :• •'••

Sebastian was at the present moment leaning on the top of his mother's chair, which was a deep, roomyeasy chair of a by gone day. As he- spoke, he tookthe feathery screen out of her hand, and fanned her with it a little. She wished, he would not do so. It might not make it really more difficult to resist him, but it made her look very un gracious ; it must look ungracious in 'a mother to deny favours to a son who tasked them in so seductive a manner.^ i ;ut .■■■■:■■ ; MrsMallory thought there were certain points upon which she would never give in; but even while she thought it, Sebastian's hand waved the screen to and fro, and his voice gently continued to speak—even then, she had an indefinable sensation of being managed—that power was slipping fiom her hands into his. But she could say nothing •until he had in some way committed him self; and he had a most provoking habit of not committing himself. ■•.:. li-.i.n "She is as clever and accomplished in her way as her uncle is 'inhis," Sebastian went on; " and she is, in addition, a most charming young lady;' She has no friends here—and she is so different from .the xhan shope people—much more in your style than that vehement little Miss Spenceley," he. added, while Hugo looked on from afar and laughed inhis sleeve. "I am sure you.would like her if you knew her, and I "want yoji to be so kind as to call upon her." ;;■■ '>'■'■'■ "Call upon her! Call upon a; person I know notlungabout ! Really, Sebastian,'l wonder at you!" ■ '. ■ ■• vi..■>■•■:.;

"My dear mother, she is not in the least what you would describe as a 'person.' Even jour critical taste will pronounce her a thorough lady when you see her."--.; - "How is it nobody else has called upon her?" ' •

" Some one else has. Mrs Pohsoriby has called upon her. But. I want you to call upon her. You really would oblige me ex ceedingly, mother, if you would."

'' And therefore I must, I suppose. 