' What aro you smiling at ?' ' Ab fcho assertion that you cannot tolerate idolatry.'

'Well? Of all the men in Now York, probably I am the most thoroughly an inconoclast.'

' Yes, sir, of other people's gods ; never theless, i think you worship ardently.' ' Indeed ! Havo you recently joined the "Microscopical Society"? I solicit the benefit of your discovorics, and Bhall be duly grateful if you will graciously point oub tlio unknown fano wherein I Becrotly worship. Is ib Beauty ? Genius? Riches?'

'lb is not done in secret. All tho world knows that- Mr Palma imitates the example of Marcus MarcelluH, and dedicates his life to two divinities.'

Standing on oifchor side of the gato, and each pressing a hand upon the slab of the mantel, tho lawyer looked curiously down ab bhe bright young face.
' You are quite fresh in foraging from historic Holds, and since I quitted the classis shades of Alma Mater I have had little leisure for Roman loro ; but college memories suggest, that ib was to Honour and Valour that Marcellus erected the splondid double templo ab tho Capene Gate. I bow to your parallel, and gratefully appreciate your ingeniously delicate com pliment.'

Ho laughed sarcastically as reinterpreted the protest very legible in her clear honest eyes, and waited a moment for her to dis claim the flattery. Bub she was silently smiling up ab her mother's face.
' Does my very observant ward approve of my homage to the Roman deities?'

'Are your favourite divinities thoso bofore whom Marcellus bent his knee ?'

Very steadily her large eyes, blue as the border of a clematis, wero burned to meet his, and involuntarily he took his under lip between his glittering teeth.
