r you're using?" he
asked.

"You may call a taxi," she replied; "and you may also come with me, if
you've nothing else to do."

"I'm too sorry. There has been a--mixup, and it is _impossible_ now,
Mrs. Cuthbert. _I have an important appointment at the Capitol._" Which
completed the recognition.

"When can you come to see me?" she asked. "I'm at the Chateau."

"I hope tomorrow, if I'm not suddenly tied up. You will be disengaged?"

"I've absolutely nothing on hand for tomorrow," she replied.

"Fine!" he returned. "I think I can manage to come about one and take
you out for luncheon."

"That will be charming!" she smiled.

"Where would you like to go--to the Rataplan?"

"Wherever you suggest," she replied. "I'll leave it to you where we
shall go and what we shall have."

"You're always considerate and kind," he averred. "If nothing untoward
occurs, it will be a fine chance to talk over old times, to explain
everything, and to arrange for the future."

"That will be charming!"

"And unless I am disappointed in a _certain matter_, I shall have a
surprise for you."

"I shall welcome the surprise."

"We both shall welcome it, I think!" he laughed. "It seems a long time
since I've seen you, Madeline," he added.

"It seems a long time to me, too, Billy. We must do better now, old
friend. Come to Paris and we'll make such a celebration of it that the
Boulevards will run with--gaiety."

"I shall come. Meanwhile--tomorrow." He raised his stick to the taxi
dispatcher. "I'm sorry to leave you," he confided to her.

"Let me take you as far as the Capitol," she urged.

"Not today. Wait until I come to Paris--then you may take me where you
will and how."

"I like you, Billy!" she exclaimed.

"And I've something more to tell you," he whispered, as he put her in
and closed the door. "The Chateau!" he said to the driver then stepping
back, he doffed his hat and waved his hand.

"Yes, I like you, Mr. Davidson," she smiled, as the taxi sped away, "but
I'll like you better when the present business is completed and I'm in
Paris--without you."

He was a handsome chap enough, and he would have considerable money when
the present business was completed, yet, somehow he did not appeal,
even to her mercenary side. Moreover she no longer dealt in his sort.
Time was when he would have served admirably, but she was done with
plucking for plucking's sake. She plucked still, but neither so
ruthlessly nor so omnivorously a