HE triumphant smile faded out of Mr. Curtis's face as he noted the effect of his words on the worthydoctor, and, half ashamed of himself, he turned on his heel and marched out of the room, leaving Flora and the doctor together.

As for Flora, she saw only one thing,—that Dr. Giles was in trouble,—and with a woman's intuition she seized upon the best possible mode of comforting him. She seemed to feel instinctively that Dr. Giles was one of those persons who, when afflicted with any trouble, instead of giving it free vent, keep it tightly locked in their bosoms, letting it do all the internal ravage it pleases. She therefore thought it would be the very best thing for the doctor to make him ease his mind by talking of his trouble, and she accordingly seated herself