nstein had
indulged at a similar period.

"To-night we must all dine together to celebrate the event," said
Browne enthusiastically, taking no notice whatsoever of the good lady's
expression of woe. "Where shall it be?"

Katherine was about to protest, but she caught Madame's eye in time,
and desisted.

"I am sure we shall be charmed," returned Madame. "If you will make
the arrangements, we will meet you wherever you please."

"Shall we say the Maison Doree, then, at eight? Or would you prefer
the Cafe Anglais, or Au Lion d'Or?"

"The Maison Doree by all means," said Madame, "and at eight. We will
make a point of being there in good time."

Seeing that it was impossible for him to stay any longer, Browne bade
Madame good-bye, and went across the room to where Katherine was
standing by the window.

"Good-bye," he said, and as he did so he took her hand.

Looking into her eyes, which were filled with as much love as even he
could desire, he put the following question to her, so softly that
Madame, standing at the other end of the room, could not hear: "Are you
happy, Katherine?"

"Very happy," she answered in a similar tone. "But I cannot help
feeling that I am doing very wrong."

"You are doing nothing of the sort," the young man answered
dogmatically. "You are doing just the very best and wisest thing a
woman could do. You must never say such a thing again. Now, _au
revoir_, until we meet at eight. I shall count the minutes till then."

CHAPTER X

How Browne got back to his hotel is a mystery to this day. He had an
insane desire to tell every one he met of his good fortune. He wanted
to do something to make other people as happy as himself, and, for the
reason that he could find no one else at the moment, had to be content
with overtipping his cabman, and emptying all his spare change into the
hands of a beggar in the Place Vendome. The afternoon was gray and
cold; but never had the world seemed so fair to him, or so full of
sunshine. He told himself over and over again that he was the luckiest
man on earth. He had already built himself several castles in the air,
from the battlements of which the banner of Love was waving gaily.
What a difference he would make in Katherine's life! She had been poor
hitherto; now his wealth, the proper use of which he had never before
realised, should be devoted to giving her everything that a woman could
dream of or desire. In his satisfaction with