leasant words, and
then Mr. Hepworth greeted her.

"You did well to come," he said. "I am glad to see you in New York at
last."

But Christine couldn't recover herself, and so, as the kindest thing to
do, the rest rather let her alone and chatted on other subjects.

Gradually she grew less agitated, and as their merry chit-chat waxed gay
and frivolous, her determination returned, that she, too, would acquire
this accomplishment.

Then dinner was announced, and, though outwardly calm, the Southern girl
was inwardly in great trepidation lest she commit some ignorant error in
etiquette.

But she was of gentle birth and breeding, and innately refined, so she
knew intuitively regarding all points, save perhaps some modern trifles
of conventional usage.

Nan, who was watching her, though unobserved, led the conversation around
to subjects in which Christine might be likely to be interested, and was
rewarded at last by seeing the girl's face light up with an enjoyment
unmarred by self-consciousness.

Gradually she was induced to take some part in their talk, and once she
told an anecdote of her own experience without seeming aware of her
unusual surroundings.

"She'll do," thought Patty. "It isn't ignorance or inexperience that's
the greatest trouble; it's just ingrowing shyness, and she's got to get
over it; I'll see that she does, too!"

Mr. Hepworth read Patty's unspoken thoughts in her eyes and nodded
approval.

Patty nodded back with a dimpling smile, and Christine, seeing it, vowed
afresh to gain the ability to do that sort of thing herself.

For all Southern girls have a touch of the coquette in their natures, but
poor Christine's was nearly choked out by the weeds of timidity and
self-consciousness.

After dinner it was easier. They went to the cosy library, and the
atmosphere seemed more informal.

Mr. Hepworth brought up the subject of Miss Farley's work, and she was
persuaded to fetch some sketches to show them.

Though not able to appreciate the fine points of promise as Mr. Hepworth
did, they were all greatly pleased with them, and Mr. Fairfield declared
them wonderful.

In her own field Christine was fearless and quite sure of herself.

She talked intelligently about pictures, and many pleasant plans were
made for taking her to see several collections then on exhibition, as
well as to the Metropolitan and other art galleries.

Nan and Patty exchanged pleased glances as Christine talked eage