The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-27

What have done that you viii not give
me rank and standing when the opportu-
nifty presents itself"
Mr.. Mofat did not answer her in
words, but he looked at her steadily.
~ think you have not considered the
subject in all its bearings" he remarked
after an uncomfortable pause, and there
was significance in his tone, as there
had been in his glance, which did not
escape the notice of one man, at all
events, who was present.
II wonder what there is wrong in the
house" he marveled a. he strolled down
the Edgware road. "She is not easily
stopped when she once gets the bit be-
tween her teeth; but he pulled her up in
second. Nobody would imagine Moi
fat had so firm q hand" Isf .v
A few days after, some one told him
Mofat was going to be knighted.
"He consents to what he considers the
lesser evil" said this gentleman laugh
ing. "Queer fellow, isn't hep
"My lady WINS" thought the other.
"At last she has been given and has taken
half a loaf upon the principle Of that be-
ing better than no bread"
Yes, my lady won;a she wanted the
title, and he gave her that; when she de-
sired the house in Palace Gardens, he got
her that. She had to fight for both q
little, but the subsequent possession
seemed sweeter for the struggle.
"What can your fancy be for living
in Palace Gardensw said Sir John, won
deringly.
Over dinner few days previously a
member of the firm of solicitors who still
held the Seaton estate in trust, had been
talking about the place, and remarked:
"Now that would be just the house for
you, Sir John, and you might have it for
an old song. If you made anything of
an offer for it, I know we could accept
it." ..
"That is an offer that you are not very
likely to receive from me-" answered
Sir John; but he reckoned without his
host.
My lady had her clique of associates,
and with one consent they all began,
when she mentioned the place, to sing the
praises of Palace Gardens.
'Dear Lady Mofat ought certainly to
live there. Sir John should be compelled
to buy the house."
"Why, such chance might never oc-
cur again. Positively, my dear, he must
be mad-stark, staring mad even to
think Of letting such an opportunity slip
through his fingers"
~ know the house perfectly. What a
place it isl Perfect, my dear, simply
perfect; the very rooms for company;
certainly you must 60 there. can only
say it would be wicked Of you to let any
one else get it; and with your girls grow
ing up, tool! Why, Rachel must be over
twenty. and she is neither married nor
engaged"
"And with all my heart and soul
hope she never may be-" said Sir John,
when his wife repeated this amongst
many other utterances to him.
"Why should she notw asked Lady
Moffat, turning upon him furiously.
"There is no reason she should be
ashamed of her father, l suppose%'
Sir John said nothing; but. he looked
at her fixedly with the look which had
before attracted the notice Of more than
one. .. .f'.
"Do you mean she has reason to be
ashamed of meT demanded Lady Moffat,
answering that look with eyes that never
sank under her husbands gaze.
~ did not say that" he replied.
"Only implied the fact"
"Take any meaning out Of my words
you prefer" he answered, wearily.
20, yes, it is all very well you," she
was beginning, when he stopped her with
a warning gesture.
81 won't have any more of this. I can
not bear it. Do not I suffer enough7
Have l not suffered enough without your
adding to the tortureP If you have no
memory, have. If you are devoid Of
conscience, l am not so fortunate. +"
Then instantly he checked himself. "It
was wrong of me to say that" lie went
on; "I am sorry, but you try me-you
try me sometimes almost more than
can bearp