"What are you searching for in the papers, Mr. Carleton?" said
Mrs. Evelyn, presently coming up to them.
"I was looking for the steamers, Mrs. Evelyn."
"How soon do you think of bidding us good-bye?"
"I do not know, Ma'am," he answered, coolly; "I expect my mother."
Mrs. Evelyn walked back to her sofa.
But in the space of two minutes she came over to the centre- table again, with an open magazine in her hand.
"Mr. Carleton," said the lady, "you must read this for me, and tell me what you think of it, will you, Sir? I have been showing it to Mr. Stackpole, and he can't see any beauty in it; and I tell him it is his fault, and there is some serious want in his composition. Now, I want to know what you will say to it."
"An arbiter, Mrs. Evelyn, should be chosen by both parties."
"Read it and tell me what you think!" repeated the lady, walking away, to leave him opportunity. Mr. Carleton looked it over.
"That is something pretty," he said, putting it before Fleda.
Mrs. Evelyn was still at a distance.