JACK CLIFFORD had certainly been most successful in his self-imposed task. He had desired to curry favour with the 'fine-lady mother' of that charming Miss Trevor, in whose début he had chanced to take such an active part; and, but an hour or two after he had started on his would-be agreeable mission, Mrs. Hall had pronounced him to be 'a most charming young gentleman.'

Nothing succeeds like success. Mrs. Powell, who occupied a part of one of the roomy old houses in Leicester-square, had invited Jack to come and have luncheon with her after the rehearsal was over. The invitation was in itself no unusual one, for Mrs. Powell, like the other ladies at the Sphere, thought Jack Clifford a most delightful young man, and lost no opportunity of proving the pleasure she had in his companionship. He was always in such excellent spirits, he knew so much, he talked so well, he dressed admirably, and he was so handsome.

The manageress had a kind

VOL. XXV.

heart, and that indulgent disposition which distinguishes women who are generally described as 'motherly.' She treated young Jack as though he were her son. He was quite aware that a hearty welcome, and a seat at that hospitable board in Leicester-square, were at his disposal whenever he should choose to avail himself of those privileges; and yet he had hailed this particular invitation with special delight, because he looked upon it as a good omen for the voyage of discovery on which he had determined to embark, as soon as he had exchanged a dozen words, and half that number of glances, with the ingenuous little débutante.

He left the theatre with a very clearly defined purpose, and stepped out on his way to Leicester-square with the greatest alacrity. He, not unreasonably, expected to glean more accurate information from the manageress anent her new protégée than any one else would be likely to afford him.

All he had definitely ascertained

B

in the greenroom was, that Miss Trevor was John Hall's stepdaughter, and that he, being proud of her, had given her a very superior education. And Mrs. Blenkinsop had privately bestowed some additional information upon him. 'The girl is a ninny,' said she, 'and will never be worth her salt. My sister Araminta has taken a deal of trouble with her; but the poor child has no style, although her mother is a most stuck-up lady, and gives herself all the airs of her most gracious Majesty.'

Jack's ideas on the subject of that last-named and most illustrious personage were of the vaguest character; but he did flatter himself that he should be quite able to create a favourable impression upon the lady who had condescended to marry kind simple John Hall.

Very adroitly did Master Jack now set about his further investigation; and so cleverly did he hoodwink his unsuspecting hostess, that he had extracted the most minute details of the scene-painter's family and circumstances from her, without giving her the faintest hint that it was the pretty young debutante who had inspired him with such interest.

Mrs. Powell, who considered Jack a very model of good nature, simply concluded that he spoke the truth when he stated that, as it was in his power to render John Hall a service, he wished first of all to be acquainted with his actual position, his income, &c.

And the manageress had no scruple in confiding honest John's private position to her kind young friend, who so thoroughly learnt the simple history of the scenepainter's life from the loquacious lady, that he soon felt prepared to enter Miss Trevor's home on his own account, and thought himself pretty sure of a cordial welcome

from the widow of the late Clement Trevor.

It had so happened that Clifford had become acquainted with the history of several members of the Kentingtown family during his short apprenticeship in Bedford-row, and this knowledge he now felt would be of the utmost value to him in his intended attack on the proud widow of a scion of that noble family.

Jack was young, impressionable, and somewhat impetuous, but he was by no means wanting in shrewdness; and having, as he considered, a good chance of winning Miss Trevor's regard, which he already coveted, he was resolved to employ whatever tools lay at hand to aid him in the construction of so agreeable an acquaintance.

The people who knew Jack best were all ready to admit that he was a very 'sharp' fellow, and he displayed even more than his usual perspicacity in the various moves he made in the pursuit of his sudden desire to be received as a welcome visitor by Miss Trevor's

mamma.

Jack unhesitatingly admitted to himself that Nell's trusting eyes and charming manner had completely captivated him, and his most eager desire at this moment was to perfect an acquaintance which had begun so auspiciously.

To admire passionately, where he admired at all, was indubitably 'Jack's way.' He knew no half measures; and no sooner had he concluded that Nell was charming, than he also resolved, as speedily as possible, to acquaint her with that opinion, and to endeavour to make it reciprocal.

To gain this point, he must contrive to see Nell at home.

The greenroom or the wings of the theatre were not adapted for the respectful pursuit of so modest and refined a young lady. Jack's

instinct taught him that Miss Trevor would shrink with indignation from the public attention which, to nine women out of ten, was particularly acceptable. Women of that sort triumphed in any exhibition which inspired jealousy in others; and Jack so thoroughly understood this phase of feminine character, that he achieved his principal successes with the sex by dexterously playing up to the part of demonstrative lover, which enabled the momentarily adored one to perceive that her (professional) sisters were smarting under the cruel pangs of envy and jealousy.

Miss Trevor would resent this sort of homage; of that Jack felt convinced. A very different method of wooing must be adopted in her exceptional case, and in order that he might hit on the right tack this prudent young man resolved to inquire at head-quarters.

With this view he presented himself in Alpha-street, shortly after John Hall had returned to the the

atre.

Hall's character for bluff honesty was too thoroughly known in the profession for Jack to risk a meeting with him before he had, to some extent, prepared his way with the ladies. Mr. Hall might have received the stranger with an unpleasantly direct inquiry as to the nature of his business there, and Jack strongly deprecated such painfully straightforward manners of speech. He timed himself very carefully, and was, he thought, most fortunate in finding Miss Trevor's mother at home and alone.

He played his cards cleverly, and, for once, with due caution. His inclination prompted him to produce his best trump at once, but he so far curbed his natural impetuosity as to spend quite ten minutes in commonplace chat before he even mentioned the magic name of Kentingtown.

He augured from the instant change in Mrs. Hall's manner and her suddenly-aroused attention that, as far as the mother was concerned, he certainly had hit on the right tack. This success inspired him with fresh hope about the daughter.

Mrs. Hall's numerous and eager inquiries about her poor dear Clement's grand relations relieved Jack from all anxiety as to the further conduct of this momentous interview. Mrs. Hall was quite content to listen to all he could tell her; and as he had actually seen the countess-dowager and the earl, her son, he launched forth into elaborate and rather theatrical descriptions of those two aristocratic personages.

'From my poor Clement's description of his grandmother's appearance, I have always believed that our daughter Eleanor resembled her ladyship,' Mrs. Hall remarked, in a very impressive tone. 'She has the same small hands and feet, the large expressive eyes, and such a quantity of beautiful hair. When you saw my dear child this morning, Mr. Clifford, did this resemblance strike you at all?'

Jack had some difficulty in repressing a laugh.

When he recalled the wrinkled face, the portly figure, and the gray hair of the old dowager, and was asked to recognise a likeness to that grim and ancient dame in the young smiling débutante, he felt that an instant diversion in the course of conversation had become imperative, and he very adroitly avoided all further reference to her ladyship by expatiating on the grace and talent Miss Trevor had displayed upon the stage this morning.

The maternal instinct was flattered, and Mrs. Hall's next questions confined themselves to the manner, appearance, and probable success of her daughter.

"Thinking you would like to be present on the night of Miss Trevor's début, I have brought you a box,' said Jack, as he rose to take his leave. 'Mrs. Powell offered it to me to-day, and I at once resolved to ask you to make use of it.'

Could any gentleman give more convincing proof of his delicacy and consideration than this Mr. Clifford's every word and action showed?

As far as Mrs. Hall was concerned, Jack had won the day.

He knew he could depend on her welcome and approbation in future; and having thus secured his footing in Nell's home, there surely could be no difficulty in continuing the acquaintance so pleasantly commenced in the the

atre.

Nell listened to her mother's praises of Jack Clifford in unresponsive silence.

How could she indorse those laudatory statements about his kindness, his consideration, and his being so perfect a gentleman, with Ophelia's' lovesick plaints still ringing in her ears?

Mrs. Hall was far too much engaged in various discursive arguments about the Kentingtown family, and in repeating all the news Mr. Clifford had imparted to her concerning her noble relatives, to notice Nell's preoccupation.

The girl had soon finished her meal, or such poor apology for it as had been set before her. Rising from the table, she stood for a moment, her face hidden in her hands.

'Dear mum,' she said, with a very weary sigh, I really think I must go to my room and have a little rest; my head aches; I never felt so worn out in all my life. I shall adopt your remedy, and try and get some sleep.'

With this excuse, which was not devoid of truth, Nell felt she could escape from further conversation and also from the chance of keener observation, which she had begun to dread.

She longed to be quite alone, and with a feeling of intense relief she flung herself upon her little bed, thankful that now, at last, she could think over the crowding incidents of the morning undisturbed. And in this reflective solitude she came to a definite conclusion as to the conduct it would be her duty henceforth to pursue. In the first place, she must abstain from following the inclination which was so strongly urging her to improve her acquaintance with handsome Jack, and her reserve must teach him to keep aloof from her in fu

ture.

So much was due to the unfortunate girl, who had chosen to make her the confidante of her wrongs and her grievances this morning.

It was very strange that Mr. Clifford should have taken the trouble to procure a box for her mother, and that he should have so successfully striven to ingratiate himself with that lady.

Was it so very strange?

A warm blush and a happy smile were on Nell's face as she made this dubious inquiry. But both the smile and the blush faded away as she remembered the threatening shadow which Ophelia had already cast over this fascinating stranger.

Had it not been for that haunting and painful recollection, Nell would honestly have admitted to herself that Jack's visit was not strange at all, that this prompt action on his part was very delightful, and that she felt exceedingly flattered by his evident desire to know more of her and her surroundings.

Ah, well, he would not be likely to pay any more visits to Alpha-street, when once he realised her determination to discourage them.

It was fortunate that father knew nothing of this gentleman. If it had so happened that John Hall himself had made the stranger welcome at their fireside, all Nell's inhospitable intentions would have proved futile, for father's frank and hearty welcome would have at once obliterated the absence of it on her part.

Mother was easily managed, and Nell had quite sufficient experience to enable her to conduct her vacillating parent as seemed most desirable under certain circumstances.

She could so coax and manage her, Nell believed, that the feeble lady would have no suspicion of the invisible leading-strings moving her in a given direction, but would firmly believe that she was simply following her own immediate conviction or inclination. But father was far too simple and straightforward to give any one a chance of manoeuvring where he was concerned. If any kind of suspicion had entered into his mind, Nell knew exactly the course he would take to set his possible doubts at

rest.

He had a steadfast truth-compelling glance in his honest eyes, before which even his wife shrank in confusion as some prevarication intended to answer him died away unuttered upon her trembling lips.

If by some most unfortunate chance he should become aware of her interview with Phoebe Miller, Nell was painfully conscious already of the searching look and eager question with which he would confront her. He would then ask her for explanations which she felt she could not give to any one.

It certainly was fortunate that Mr. Clifford had called during father's absence. No harm was done at present, and for the future she must endeavour to forget the laughing eyes and gentle manner which had so fascinated her this morning.

Both Ophelia and Jack must henceforth be as entirely ignored as if she had never exchanged a word with either. But if it so chanced that she met Sally again, she should not hesitate to ask her for further information about her lovesick friend. Perhaps Phoebe was really a little confused in her mind. It was even possible that her grievances were entirely imaginary. Delicate girls, with hectic cheeks and wearing coughs, often had strange and morbid fancies; and that was a part of their illness.

In

Nell distinctly remembered having heard a sadly interesting account of so suffering and deluded a girl from a very sentimental governess at Miss Plunkett's. that instance the unfortunate invalid had broken her heart in consequence of the imaginary cruelty of a youth who really was unaware of the existence of his supposed victim.

Nell distinctly remembered each thrilling detail of that most harrowing history, and vaguely wondered if it really was a true one.

With such a precedent in her mind, she soon brought herself to consider it probable that Phoebe's grievances were all the creatures of her morbid and overwrought condition. Most likely the girl herself had drawn Jack into an engagement, which he had never intended to fulfil.