ot actually
related to each other, and their conversation, though interesting to
themselves, was not thrilling to an outsider. I saw the American's
quick eye dart from one to the other, and hoped he was not classifying
the company as typical English wits! The dinner itself was long, heavy,
and unenterprising; a Victorian feast, even to the "specimen glass"
decorations. One rose and one spray of maidenhair, in a tall thin
glass, before each separate diner. Charmion and the Squire talked and
laughed together, and seemed quite happy. She is a lovely creature when
she is animated; there is a dainty charm about every movement which
makes her seem of a different clay from human creatures. Even to see
Charmion _eat_ is a beautiful thing!

All the same, that dinner was a trial of patience, and I was thankful
when it was over. In the old-fashioned way, we left the men to their
smoke, and wandered through the drawing-room into a big domed
palm-house, which in its fragrant dimness, with the giant palms reaching
to the very roof, looked much more inviting than the drawing-room with
its glaring incandescent lights.

The American bride attached herself to me and chatted amusingly enough.
Before her marriage she had lived "out west," so I plied her with
questions about ranch life. Kathie writes regularly enough, but she is
a wretch about answering questions, and is not half detailed enough to
satisfy my curiosity. We stood leaning against one of the tiered
flower-stands, enjoying the scent and the beauty, chatting together so
lightly and calmly, blankly unsuspicious, as we so often are in the big
moments of life, of what lies immediately ahead. Between the spreading
branches I caught sight of Charmion looking at me with raised, inquiring
brows. She had noted my eagerness, and was wondering what point of
interest had been discovered between the wordy American and myself. I
raised my voice, and cried happily:--

"Oh, Charmion! Mrs Elliott knows Kathie's home. She has stayed there
herself. I am asking her all about it."

She smiled, and moved forward as if to join us. Mrs Elliott gave a
little start, and repeated curiously, "_Charmion_! Is Mrs Fane called
Charmion? That's a very unusual name. I have only heard it once
before. Very sweet, isn't it, but association goes for so much!"

"It does. In this case it makes the name all the more charming."

"Why, yes, that is so. Mrs Fane is a lovely woman. But I guess