"Now?" she said, dubiously, looking toward the parlours crowded with company.

"Now! I can wait no longer! Is anyone in the library?"

Before she could reply, he had pushed the door back, and led her in. The room was not needed for the use of the guests, and was unlighted except by the low fire in the grate.

"I will light the gas!" said Jessie, trying to withdraw her hand from his clutch.

He tightened the grasp. It is said that every man is a savage at some time of his life. The brutish devil was rampant now in the polished citizen of the world, the indolent epicure. If he were ever to regain his lost influence, it must be by a coup d'etat-by threats, rather than flattery. He would show her what she risked in attempting to dupe and foil him. A desperate expedient, but the case was not a hopeful one.

"What affectation of prudery is this?" he asked roughly. "Time was when you were less scrupulous about granting me interviews in the firelight. Do you imagine, silly child, that your over-acted farce of wifely devotion blinds me as it does the fools you have called together to-night to witness this pretty display of domestic felicity? Or "his tone changing suddenly-" that any amount of coldness and cruelty can extinguish my love for you? the love you once confessed-in my arms-was reciprocated by yourself, then the betrothed of him who now believes you to be his loyal consort? You have found it an easy task to deceive him, because it is not in him to worship you as I do. You may struggle to escape from me, but you know I am speaking the truth, and leaving half of it untold. Don't drive me to distraction, Jessie! or I shall divulge that which your husband, with all his phlegmatic philosophy, may resent. Resent, possibly, upon me-certainly upon you-in treatment you will find it hard to bear. I have warned you before that generous forgiveness of an offence to his dignity and selflove is a height of virtue unknown to Roy Fordham. I warn you that you are dealing with a desperate, because a miserable man!

"This is a specimen of the superior manliness, the lofty magnanimity you vaunt as your characteristics—is it?"

She had wrested her hand from him. The faint red glare revealed the outlines of a figure drawn up to its full height, and instinct with anger and defiance. The clear accents were stinging hailstones.

"I am not afraid of you, if I do shrink from your touch. I am glad you have given me this opportunity to say what you ought to know. You played upon my inexperience and loneliness, when I was committed—a too trustful child to your care by my betrothed and my father. You tampered with my active imagination and my credulity, until you wrought in my mind false and florid views of life; and when your train was ready to be fired, insinuated suspicions-which you knew were

groundless!-of Roy Fordham's honour, and his fidelity to me."

"I suggested no suspicions!" he interrupted.

"You nourished the germs planted by Hester Sandford's slander. And when I did not know where, or upon what I stood; when my brain was teeming with unhealthy fancies, and my heart sick with fever and thirst, you offered me what you called love-dragged from me the admission that it was returned."

"Since perfect frankness is the order of the day, allow me to observe that the 'dragging' was not a difficult process!" interjected Wyllys, offensively.

"I am willing to allow your amendment—if you will consent to have me repeat this story in detail to all who are assembled in the other room," she returned undaunted. "I should enjoy the task, because it would pave the way for an avowal I should exult in proclaiming to the universe. It is that I value the least hair of my husband's head more than I ever did you-body, soul, and what you denominate as your heart; that I would rather serve him as a bond-slave, and never receive a word or glance of affection, if I might live near and for him—than to reign an Empress at your side; that I never comprehend the height, depth, and fulness of his condescension and love at any other time as when I reflect that these are bestowed upon a woman who was once misled into the conviction that you were a true man, and that she cared for you. I stand ready to say all this-and more. I am no weak girl, now, to be terrified by bugbears. There is a perfectness, even of human love, that casteth out fear. You forget this when you threaten me with my husband's displeasure."

She laughed, and all the corners of the quiet room caught up the mirthful echoes.

Why, if Roy stood where you do, I could tell him all you have said, without a blush or tremor. That I have never done this, you owe to my reluctance to betray to him the baseness of one in whose veins runs the same blood as in his. I would spare him the pain and shame of seeing you for what you are. But I wish he knew everything!"

"I think he does!"

While she was speaking, a shape had loomed into motion from a recess formed by two bookcases at the further end of the library, and was now at her side. As her husband's voice greeted her astonished ears, she felt his supporting arm about her.

Hush, my darling!" he said, at her stifled scream. "I came in for a book just before you entered. After hearing Mr. Wyllys's preliminary remark, I thought it best to let you vindicate yourself without my help. Not that I needed to hear your justification, but I meant that he should. We will go back to our friends, now. Shall I tell Mrs. Wyllys that you are waiting to take her home?" to Orrin.

"If you please," was the equally formal reply.

A week later, Selina Bradlev brought Mrs. Baxter a piece of startling news.

"It is certainly true!" she insisted, as the other looked her incredulity. "The house and furniture are offered for sale. It is very doubtful when they will return. They may reside abroad for years-take up their permanent abode in Paris. Mr. Wyllys affects to treat the plan as one they have been considering this great while, but there are queer stories afloat. Hester is indiscreet, you know. They had a violent scene in the hearing of the servants on their return from the Fordhams' christening party. The most unlikely, but a popular, rumour is that Hester was furiously jealous of her husband's attentions to Jessie, or her sister, that night. She threatened to leave him and go home to her father, unless he would take his oath never to speak to either of them again."

He tied a double knot in his handkerchief.

THE HE kindly social instincts which form part of every true woman's character, will most naturally lead our young housekeeper to pleasant thoughts of entertaining her friends. One of our most agreeable social duties is that of returning the kind hospitality of our friends, and this may be done even where the income is so limited as to demand the exercise of strict economy.

The English are essentially a dinner-giving people, and it is now quite the custom to cement intimacy by partaking the social meal with our friends, and where this can be done with perfect comfort to the guests, it is a very pleasant and sociable way of promoting social intercourse. The very circumstance of the guests being invited to dine on a certain day, at a certain place, should be a guarantee that the best care will be given to render the repast as complete and perfect as possible. It is a very well known fact that many persons give dinners with the sole idea of getting into society; and in many of these dinners comfort and true enjoyment is sacrificed to show and ostentation. If you wish to give a really good and enjoyable dinner party, there are some very important points that must not be overlooked. In the first place, the food must be well chosen and well cooked. Secondly, the guests must be well selected. When adequate means are not at hand to secure these results, it will be better to avoid giving dinner parties of a ceremonious kind, and be content with giving such simple, friendly entertainments as may be within their means, and which may also be quite as favourable to the growth of true friendship as the most costly and elaborate parties. If a dinner party is to be given, the invitations must be sent at least a week or ten days previously, in the joint names of the host and hostess. It is well to have an equal number of ladies and gentle

men. If possible, the guests should be acquainted, or if not, they should be people who would be likely to meet each other with pleasure.

If guests with some conversational powers can be selected, it will add much to the success of the evening.

It must not be forgotten, in issuing the invitations, to limit them by the size of the dining-room, as each person will require at table at least eighteen inches. Plenty of room should be left for the servants to pass freely round while serving. It is scarcely necessary to say that several changes of plates, knives, and forks should be provided over and above the number of persons invited, as the requirements of the guests must be the first consideration, and there must arise a delay in the service if the supply is not very liberal. Although table decoration is so much. in fashion at the present time, it has a bad effect when carried to excess. Large massive arrangements of fruit and flowers do not suit a small table, as they screen some of the guests, and impede the helping of the dishes. Corner ornaments are also objectionable, unless the table be very large. Although flowers and growing vines are no longer used to decorate tables, they form a very pretty ornament to the sideboard, providing always that they do not usurp the place required for the articles of service. As it is now the custom to place fruit on the table at the beginning of the repast, a beautiful effect may be produced by well grouped fruit, bordered with a tasteful arrangement of choice flowers. A handsome centre ornament of this kind, with two or four smaller ones, will be sufficient, unless the table is very large. Artificial flowers should not be used, as even in winter some flowers and ferns may be procured everywhere. Unless very ample attendance of the best kind is at command, it is well to

have water-bottles, salt-cellars, etc., within easy reach of each guest.

As it is now the custom to leave the table-cloth on for dessert, it is necessary to have slips of the same kind of damask which may be removed in order to leave the cloth fresh. The folding of the serviettes should be uniform, as the effect is better than when each is folded in a different form. One that admits of the roll being placed within it is the most convenient. They require to be slightly starched, and a warm iron will be necessary to press them smoothly in the required fold.

The coloured glasses now generally used, give a bright and pleasant colour to a dinner-table. They also serve to indicate the kind of wine to be used; in England they are usually placed at the side of the guest, but in France they are placed in front, and this has great convenience to recommend it, as it gives more space for the attendants to serve and remove plates. The glasses forming a line round the table has a very pretty effect, but as this arrangement is not very common in England, it might embarrass the servants in helping wine. If the party is large, the place of each guest at table should be indicated by a little card, on which the name is written, as it would be difficult for the hostess to remember exactly, the place assigned for each. Some very pretty little cards for this purpose, are little round plates, with white centre for the name. They are printed in imitation of different patterns of antique china. If the dinner is a la Russe, it will be necessary to have a card with the menu before each guest; but as this style of dinner requires attendants, who must be accustomed to carve, it is usually reserved for very ceremonious dinners, and unless excellent attendance can be relied on, is likely to be uncomfortable.

For friendly dinners given to about eight persons, a good plain English dinner is in the best taste. It is, however, no longer the custom to have more than one dish (with its accompanying sauces and vegetables) on the table at a time, unless the party is large. The soup is replaced by the fish, and the joints are not kept waiting under cover until the made dishes have been handed round. This is an improvement on the old system, as it permits the enjoyment of each dish, with its accompanying sauces and vegetables.

When it has been quite decided what meat, poultry, game, etc., will be required for the dinner, I should advise the young housekeeper to take her cook to aid her in choosing the articles best suited to her requirements This should be done in good time, as all joints are much improved by being "hung." With game this is absolutely necessary, in order to develope the true flavour. A turkey also is very much improved in tenderness and delicacy of flavour, by being hung some time. All the preparations that can be made in advance will prevent much trouble and annoyance to the mistress, and will also give the cook more time to attend to the more important business at last; soups, jellies, and some light dishes had

much better be prepared a couple of days before they are required. Early on the days in question, the silver and glass should be polished as bright as possible; nothing adds more to the good effect of a dinner-table than attention to this point. The hostess receives her guests in the drawing-room, which ought not to be more lighted than is absolutely necessary.

When all the guests have arrived, the dinner should be announced. The lady of the house should then quietly indicate to each gentleman the lady he is expected to take into dinner. The host will, of course, give his arm to the lady of highest rank, or to the one to whom he wishes to show the most respect. The lady of the house follows last in order, with the gentleman who is to be the most honoured, and who will place himself at her right hand at table.

After the dessert has been partaken of, the hostess will choose a time when the ladies are not particularly engaged in conversation to give the signal to rise. The gentlemen rise also, one of the younger ones holding the door for them as they pass. After some time coffee is served to the ladies in the drawing-room. When the gentlemen arrive tea also is served.

A first dinner-party is always a very trying ordeal to a young housekeeper, even when it is only a friendly party, or a small gathering of near relatives; but with a little forethought and care in the arrangements beforehand, all will be made easy; particularly and especially if she has confidence in her cook. Should the giving of a dinner party, even on a small scale, be found inconvenient, an evening party or social tea may satisfy all requirements.

care.

In preparing for a small evening party, the arranging and lighting the drawing-room should receive special An ill-lighted room has not only a bad appearance, but it has also a depressing effect on the spirits. Gas is the most convenient and ready method of lighting; but good moderator lamps and wax lights, produce a much more pleasing effect, and they have also the advantage of not making the room so warm. Any large tables or other articles of furniture likely to prevent the guests from moving freely from one part of the room to another should be removed; fresh muslin curtains, and a few well-arranged flowers will give a cheerful, pleasant aspect to the rooms.

If a small room can be spared for tea and coffee, and any light refreshment required during the evening, it is convenient, as it leaves the dining-room free for the supper, which should be prepared, and the table laid early in the day. Everything should be at hand, and the changes of service and silver all placed in readiness. Jellies, creams, and salads should not be placed on the table till just before the supper is announced, as they are likely to spoil an otherwise perfect supper, unless they are served quite fresh and firm.

If all the preparations have been made in good time, and all the little details carefully attended to

early in the day, it will be a great advantage, as it will leave the servants at leisure to attend to the guests when they arrive, and perform the service without that objectionable hurry and bustle so often seen. It will also allow the young mistress of the house thoroughly to enjoy the society of her friends. How often do we see fair face clouded by sad misgivings and doubts as to the success of the supper-a care which

might easily have been avoided by a little personal attention.

The difference between a little supper table which has been wholly arranged by unskilled servants and one which has had the advantage of the supervision of a lady, must strike every one; and I am sure our young friends will not regret the trouble they may take to ensure that very agreeable result-a "really pleasant party."

A NEW aid to woman's work has lately been inaugu

rated in the shape of "The Woman's Gazette," which is conducted by L. M. H., the author of a small volume that has frequently been praised and quoted from in these pages,—viz., “The Year-book of Woman's Work." It is always to be feared that such periodicals as address only a limited class of readers have but a small chance of success; but the "Woman's Gazette," though naturally labouring under this disadvantage, aims at supplying a want. The editor thinks "there is urgent need of a special organ to represent the many branches of women's work, to print correspondence, to supply the latest information, and to form a medium for advertisements." The object, therefore, of this publication is to "furnish the latest information upon all work, remunerative or otherwise, needing the services of women, and upon the ways and means of obtaining employment therein," and to "afford a means for mutual consultation, comparison of work and results, and an opportunity for harmonious co-operation." The editor explains that it is not from any wish to separate the interests of men and women that this paper is devoted to the special need of the latter sex; but merely because it appears that the field of educated and industrial female labour is quite unprovided with any recognized advertising medium, and it is as inconvenient as it is unnecessary to search for a matron, a nurse, or a governess among advertisements for travelling tutors or curates.

The profits from the sale of the paper are to be appropriated for the benefit of women who depend on their own exertions for a livelihood. And this is my reason for noticing the "Woman's Gazette" in this portion of our magazine. Here is "something to do" for our poorer sisters. Every one who takes it helps not only herself but the cause of those who need money, either from illness or incapacity.

Putting charity out of the question, much information is to be found in its pages. The second monthly number has just been issued, and contains hints that workers will find useful, and much news about work.

Another branch of occupation has been opened to

ladies under more advantageous circumstances than has been the case hitherto. A work-room has been established at 42, Somerset Street, Portman Square, where ladies are taught the art of dressmaking, and where orders are executed by these ladies, under the direction of a skilled manager. A special work-room in the same house is devoted to high-class decorative embroidery, where skilled work women may find remunerative employment, and the unskilled are taught by a lady who has made art needlework a special study. All the work is done on the premises, so that only ladies residing in the metropolis may benefit by this association. Orders have already come in and more have been promised. The list of lady patronesses include the names of the Dowager Countess of Galloway; the Countess of Bective; the Lady Mary Fielding; the Lady Constance Lefevre; Lady Burrell; Mrs. Alexander Brown, 12, Grosvenor Gardens; Miss Elizabeth Sewell, Ashcliff, Bonchurch; Miss Wallace, 47, Harley Street; Miss Hubbard, Leonardslee, Horsham. The entrance fee is five guineas, and in both depart. ments, viz., the dressmaking and the fine art needlework, the workers attend daily, and are expected to conform to certain rules.

In order to meet the expenses of the first year, an appeal for subscriptions is made to all interested in the subject of "Women's Work."* When once the Institution is well started, it is believed it will be entirely selfsupporting; and the Society will eventually be worked on co-operative principles.

I paid a visit to the Embroidery Room, wishing to be in a position to give my readers the particulars of this new attempt to get work for women, and found the ladies busily employed on some beautiful bordering for curtains in the antique style, for which Mr. Gillow had sent them an order. Miss Scott, the Directress of this branch of the Association, is sanguine as to further orders, and it is sincerely to be hoped she may not be disappointed, for it is pleasant to see ladies in a comfortable room, working

* Donations can be paid into the Account of the Ladies' Dressmaking, Millinery, and Embroidery Association, at the St. Marylebone Branch of the National Provincial Bank of England 35, Baker Street.

together and quietly conversing, as they might in their own drawing-rooms, and to remember that they are earning their livelihood without having to struggle and battle with the world, as too many women have to do.

To turn to a very different and far less pleasant mode of earning one's bread, I have been requested to mention that the winter session of the London School of Medicine for Women, 30, Henrietta Street, Brunswick Square, opened on the 2nd of October, and comprise classes in Anatomy, Practical Anatomy, Physiology, and Practice of Medicine. All ladies, not already registered students, who desire to enter the School as Medical Students, should pass the Examination in Arts to be held at the Apothecaries' Hall on September 24th and 25th, 1875, and January 28th and 29th, 1876. No one will be admitted to the study of Medicine before the completion of her eighteenth year.

The fees for the entire curriculum of (non-clinical) Lectures required by the Examining Boards will be £80, if paid in one sum; or, if paid in instalments, £40 for the first year, £30 for the second, and £15 for the third. The fees for separate courses of the (non-clinical) Lectures required by the Examining Boards will be £8 8s. for each subject in the Winter Course, and £5 5s. for each in the Summer Course. The fees for hospital instruction are additional, and will be announced subsequently.

Ladies not desiring to study Medicine with a view to practice may attend the classes on payment of the fees, without passing the Examination in Arts, but will not receive certificates of attendance.

All those who desire to enter the School are requested

The lecturers at this School are, Mr. Reeves, London Hospital; Mr. Rivington, London Hospital; Mr. Heaton, F.C.S., Charing Cross Hospital; Dr. P. H. Stokoe, Guy's Hospital; Dr. Sturges, Westminster Hospital; Dr. H. B. Donkin; Dr. King Chambers, St. Mary's Hospital; Mrs. Garrett Anderson, M.D.; Dr. Ford Anderson; Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell; Dr. Dupré, F.C.S., Westminster Hospital; Dr. Shewen; Mr. Cowell, Westminster Hospital; Mr. Critchett; Dr. Bastian, F.C.S., University College; Dr. Cheadle, St. Mary's Hospital; Dr. Sankey, University College, and Dr. Murie, Middlesex Hospital. The Dean of the School is Mr. A. T. Norton, of St. Mary's Hospital. SYLVIA.

THE HE Prince of Wales is apparently enjoying himself greatly in India, and making himself generally a favourite. He has "condescended to men of low estate," attended the dinner given to soldiers and sailors, visited native schools at Bombay, and received a wreath from the hands of young Parsee girls. The visit to the far-famed Caves of Elephanta was a brilliant affair. These renowned and picturesque caverns are on an island near Bombay, and they contain remarkable sculptures, some broken, others well preserved. A large effigy of an elephant gives the name to the island, and the gigantic bust of a three-headed deity is supposed to represent the Hindoo trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Directly in front. of this statue was spread the tables at which the Prince entertained his guests. The old caves were most brilliantly illuminated; and surely never before were the

gloomy recesses of sacred Hindoo temples made so gay. The popping of champagne corks, lively conversation, and not unfrequent laughter were unwonted, if by no means unpleasant, introductions to an acquaintance with one of the profoundest of Asiatic mysteries. Of ladies there were many, and we imagine they will not readily forget the picnic in the Caves of Elephanta.

The Marquis of Lorne has written a pleasing and elegant poem, the scene of which is the shores of the Gulf of Genoa in the tenth century. The poem is evidently the fruit of a cultivated and imaginative mind; and if it does not exhibit the very highest poetical qualities, it contains sufficient evidences of poetic feeling and a command of poetical diction sufficient to insure for it a very honourable place in literature.

An American author, Mr. Bancroft, has just published