The Black Moth

Molly, who had listened with round eyes, drew a deep ecstatic breath.Then she bounced up, clapping her hands, and proclaimed that she wasright after all!

"What will ye be meaning, alanna?" inquired O'Hara.

"Pray, sir, did I not say _over_ and _over_ again that if I could onlyinduce Jack to stay with us everything would come right? Now, Miles, youknow I did!"

"I remember ye said something like it once," admitted her spouse.

"Once, indeed! I was always sure of it. And I did coax you to stay, didI not, Jack?" she appealed.

"You did," he agreed. "You assured me that if I was churlish enough toleave, Miles would slowly sicken and pine away!"

She ignored her husband's ribald appreciation of this.

"Then you see that 'tis all owing to me that--" She broke off to shakeO'Hara, and the meeting ended in riotous hilarity.

When he went to change his clothes, Carstares found Jim already in hisroom awaiting him. He hailed him gaily, and sat down before hisdressing-table.

"I require a very festive costume to-night, Jim. Rose velvet and creambrocade, I think."

"Very good, your lordship," was the prim reply.

Jack slewed round.

"What's that?"

"I understand your lordship is an Earl," said poor Jim.

"Now who was the tactless idiot who told you that? I had intended tobreak the news myself. I suppose now, you know my--story?"

"Yes, si--my lord. I--I suppose ye won't be requiring my services anylonger?"

"In heaven's name, why not? Do you wish to leave me?"

"Wish to--! No, sir--my lord--I--I thought ye'd maybe want a smartervalet--and--not me."

My lord turned back to the mirror and withdrew the pin from his cravat.

"Don't be a fool."

This cryptic remark seemed greatly to reassure Jim.

"Ye mean it, sir?"

"Of course I do. I should be lost without you after all this time. Marrythat nice girl at Fittering, and she shall maid my lady. For I'm to bemarried as soon as may be!"

"Ay, s--my lord! I'm sure I'm very glad, s--your lordship. Rose, sir?With the silver lacing?"

"I think so, Jim. And a cream--very pale cream waistcoat, broidered inwith rose. There is one, I know."

"Yes, sir--your lordship."

My lord eyed him despondently.

"Er--Jim!"

"Yes--your lordship?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot endure it."