'Well, no,'he said—'unless there's pres sure, my love, and then we mustn't grumble; for pressure means profit, and profit sea side and silk dresses, eh ? There, good bye.' ' But, just a moment, Charley. You will try and be back ?' ' To be sure, he cried ; for with the nice, gentle, appealing, loving look, he could say none other. ' But there —it's just ten.' 1 Yes, dear, I know ; but do try and be back, Charley. Ido so like having you with me of an evening.' And a little, round, plump hand held on by a button hole, and a little, round cheek was laid against Mr Smith's shoulder. ' Yes, yes, yes, yes,' he said rather testily. ' I like coming home; only business pressure, you know.' ' But there's so much pressure, now, Charley.' ' Good sign, my dear ; and—there—l must go.' ' But it presses so hard on me, Charley ; and it seems as if you were tired of coming back home.'

' Why, what stuff, to be sure ! Take your finger out of that button hole, or you'll drag it.' 'I did want you so badly last night, Charley ; and I like you to enjoy yourself, but not always to stop away of an evening.' ' Now, how can you be so unreasonable ? ' ' Mrs Lane camo in last night, and Mr Lane called for her about nine, and they stopped and had tea ; and Mr Lane said he saw you go into the Alhambra.' 'Me ! Alhambra ? Pooh ! absurd ! non sense ! nonsense ! mistake altogether. But there, I must go.' 'Oh !' said Mrs Smith ; and as her lord hurried away, that tightening of her lips was visible, and the little woman looked dull and sad as she heard the door close.
