“I did not mean to be rude,” she said, earnestly.  “I liked Italy so much, and we expected to stay longer; but that does not hinder my liking to be here.  I hope I did not offend you.”

“Certainly not; you are an honest little puss,” Bell replied, placing her hand caressingly upon the curly head laying back so wearily on the chair.  “Here in New York we have a bad way of not telling the whole truth, but you will soon be used to it.”

“Used to not telling the truth!  Oh, I hope not!” and this time the blue eyes lifted so wonderingly to Bell’s face had in them a startled look.

“Simpleton,” was Juno’s comment, while Bell’s was:  “I rather like the child,” as she continued to smooth the golden curls and wound them around her finger, wondering if Katy had a taste for metaphysics, that being the last branch of science which she had taken up.

“I suppose you will find Will a pattern husband,” Juno said, after a moment’s pause, and Katy replied:  “There never could be a better, I am sure, and I have been very happy.”

“Has he never said one cross word to you in all these six months?” was Juno’s next question, to which Katy answered, truthfully:  “Never.”

“And lets you do as you please?”

“Yes, just as I please,” Katy replied, while Juno continued:  “He must have changed greatly, then, from what he used to be; but marriage has probably improved him.  He tells you all his secrets, too, I presume?”

Anxious that Wilford should appear well in every light, Katy replied at random:  “Yes, if he has any.”

“Well, then,” and in Juno’s black eyes there was a wicked look, “perhaps you will tell me who was or is the original of that picture he guards so carefully?”

“What picture?” and Katy looked up inquiringly, while Juno, with a little sarcastic laugh, continued:  “Oh, he has not told you, then.  I thought he would not, he seemed so angry and annoyed when he saw me with it once three or four years ago.  I found it in his room, where he had accidentally left it, and was looking at it when he came in.  It was the picture of a young girl, who must have been very beautiful, and I did not blame Will for loving her, if he ever did, but he need not have been so indignant at me for wishing to know who it was.  I never saw him so angry or so much disturbed.  I hope you will ferret the secret out and tell me, for I have a great deal of curiosity, fancying that picture had something to do with his remaining so long a bachelor.  I do not mean that he does not love you,” she added, as she saw how white Katy grew.  “It is not to be expected that a man can live to be thirty without loving more than one.  There was Sybil Grey, a famous belle, whom I thought at one time he would marry; but when Judge Grandon offered she accepted, and Will was left in the lurch.  I do not really believe he cared, though, for Sybil was too much of a flirt to suit his jealous lordship, and I will do him the justice to say that, however many fancies he may have had, he likes you best of all,” and this Juno felt constrained to say because of the look in Katy’s face, a look which warned her that in her thoughtlessness she had gone too far and pierced the young wife’s heart with a pang as cruel as it was unnecessary.