den. I said I had a copyright
of my own face, if we _were_ engaged! And I hoped that would make him
break, but it did not. He was only in the sulks. And he does not look
nice in the sulks. I was glad he had to go to New York and not motor
home with us in the Grayles-Grice, and I could not be interested when
he said in hints that his business in town had something to do with
_me_--something I should _like_! I'm sure I cannot like it. And oh,
cherie, he has such _slept_ on looking ears, I dare not think of them:
too flat, and crinkly at the top like inside lettuce leaves!

I was making up my mind all the way home in heavenly moonlight that it
had been a mistake and I must jump out of it. This made me almost happy
again--this, and watching Peter Storm drive, which I do like to see, he
does it so well, so strongly, it seems to give you strength being near
him.

But now I am at home and everything is changed, worse than when Larry
was bankrupted. I found him almost engaged to _Mrs. Shuster_. He was
doing it because of being poor, and to save me from the sacrifice. That
was what he explained. So of course I told him I had promised to marry
Mr. Caspian, and all would be right for us. He is going to get out of it
with Mrs. Shuster if he can in honour. If he cannot I must try to _dig_
him out. Larry matters so _much_ more than I do! I wish I were being
engaged in France instead of here, because there I think _les jeunes
filles_ do not have to kiss. Here, one says they do. But _I_ will not!

I wish again thy happiness, dear one. Mine is lost. Would it do good if
you prayed to Saint Anthony of Padua to find it for me again?

Nobody knows yet except Larry. I shall not tell Angele. She would be
pleased, and I should want to slap her!

Your poor PATRICE.

XIII

MOLLY WINSTON TO MERCEDES LANE

_Awepesha, Long Island_,
_Wednesday._

DEAREST OLD GIRL:

I shouldn't call you that if you weren't young and beautiful!

Jack and I have just sent you a cheap, enthusiastic cable containing the
one word "Hurrah!" You will understand that our cheers ring across the
Atlantic because Monty is mending well. Your letter came this morning
with the good news. Biarritz will be a jolly place for his
convalescence. I shall never forget when Jack and I were there together
before we were