weak lines about the mouth which betokened a lack of purpose, and the expression of his face was marred by a cynical smile which was fast becoming habitual with him.  Isabelle, the eldest, was tall and fair, except for a chill hauteur which set strangely upon one so young, while her firmly set lips betokened the existence of a strong will which completely dominated her less self-reliant sister.  Marion Hildreth was just Evadne’s age, with a pink and white beauty and soft eyes which turned deprecatingly at intervals towards Isabelle, as though to ask pardon for imaginary solecisms against Miss Hildreth’s code of etiquette.

The covers were being changed for the second course when a servant entered and approached the Judge, bearing a cablegram upon a silver salver.  He ran his eyes hastily over its contents, then he leaned back heavily against his chair, while an expression of genuine sorrow settled down upon his face.

“Your Uncle Lenox is dead,” he said briefly, as the girls plied him with questions.

“Dead!” Mrs. Hildreth’s voice broke the hush which had fallen in the room.  “Why, Lawrence, this is very sudden!  We have looked upon Lenox as being perfectly well.”

“It is not safe to count anyone well, Kate, who carries such a lurking serpent in his bosom.  Only forty-three!  Just in his prime.  Poor Len!” The Judge leaned his head upon his hand, while his thoughts were busy with memories of the gay young brother who had filled the old homestead with his merry nonsense.

“And what will become of Evadne?” Again Mrs. Hildreth’s voice broke the silence.

“Evadne?” the Judge looked full in his wife’s face.  “Why, my dear, there is only one thing to be done.  I shall cable immediately to have her come to us.”  He rose from the table, his dinner all untasted, and left the room.

Louis was the first to speak.  “A Barbadoes cousin.  How will you like having such a novelty as that, Sis, to introduce among your acquaintance?” He bowed lazily to Mrs. Hildreth.  “Let me congratulate you, lady mother.  You will have the pleasure of floating another bud into blossom upon the bosom of society.”

“I do not see any room for congratulation, Louis,” Mrs. Hildreth said discontentedly.  “It is a dreadful responsibility.  One does not know what the child may be like.”

“Hardly a child, mamma,” pouted Marion.  “Evadne must be as old as I.”

“If that is so, Sis, she must have the wisdom of Methusaleh!” and Louis looked at his sister with one of his mocking smiles.  “At any rate she will afford scope for your powers of training, Isabelle.  It must be depressing to have to waste your eloquence upon an audience of one.”

Isabelle tossed her head.  “I am not anxious for the opportunity,” she said coldly.  “Likely the child will be a perfect heathen after running wild among savages all her life.”

Louis whistled.  “A little less Grundy and a little more geography would be to your advantage, Isabelle!  Barbadoes happens to be the creme de la creme of the British Indies.  I would not advise you to display your ignorance before Evadne, or your future lecturettes on the conventionalities may prove lacking in vital force.”