Mr. Jack Maldon was there, before us. Mrs. Strong, dressed in white, with cherry-coloured ribbons, was playing the piano, when we went in; and he was leaning over her to turn the leaves. The clear red and white of her complexion was not so blooming and flowerlike as usual, I thought, when she turned round; but she looked very pretty, wonderfully pretty.

“I have forgotten, Doctor,” said Mrs. Strong’s mama, when we were seated, “to pay you the compliments of the day⁠—though they are, as you may suppose, very far from being mere compliments in my case. Allow me to wish you many happy returns.”

“I thank you, ma’am,” replied the Doctor.