arsely.

"Because!" she answered, staring down at her clasped hands.

"Why?"

"Because, my Geoffrey, if--if I let myself--kiss you now, I--shall never
be able to--tear myself away, and I must say good night to Arthur and--"

She paused as a knock sounded on the door, and Mrs. Trapes appeared.

"Why, dear land o' my fathers!" she exclaimed. "Ain't you had time t'
take off your bonnet yet, Hermy?"

"Goodness me!" exclaimed Hermione, "I forgot it!" So saying, off it
came, and there was the curl above her eyebrow more wantonly alluring
than ever.

"An' there's that blessed b'y," continued Mrs. Trapes, "a-layin'
up-stairs yearnin' for you, Hermy, an' him s' pale an' gentle--God bless
him! An' it now bein' exackly twenty-two an' a half minutes past 'leven
by my beautiful new watch as ticks most musical! Time as you was in
bed--both of you! an' that reminds me, Hermy, I sent your maid t' bed
like you told me, an' with my own two hands I laid out one o' them
lovely noo nightdresses--the one with the short sleeves an' lace as you
showed me last night an'--Land sakes, she's gone! Think o' that now--my,
my! Mrs. Ravenslee's wonderful quick an' light on her feet, Mr.
Geoffrey!"

Here Mrs. Trapes raised the watch to her ear and hearkened to its tick
again, smiling at Ravenslee's broad back as he turned to reach his
glass.

"Them nightdresses," she sighed, "as is all fluffs an' frills an'
openwork, may be all right when you're young, but for true comfort give
me--flannel, every time."

Here Ravenslee, in the act of sipping his brandy and soda, choked; when
at last he glanced around, Mrs. Trapes was gone.

Then he drew a chair to the fire and, sitting down, took up his pipe and
tried to light it, but Hermione's nervous white fingers had packed it
too tightly for mortal suction, whereat he sighed and, yielding to the
impossible, sat with it in his hand, lost in happy thought and waiting
for the swift light footsteps he yearned to hear.

The clock in the hall without struck midnight, but long after the mellow
chime had died away he sat there waiting; but the great house lay very
still about him, and no sound broke the pervading quiet. Wherefore at
last he grew restless, frowned at the dying fire, and his strong fingers
clenched themselves fiercely about the pipe they still held.

All at once he started, rose to his feet, and turned toward the door
eager-eyed, as a hand knocked softly; before he could speak it opened,
an