t Pyramid and as
uncommunicative as the Sphinx, and who sticks up iron palings all round
himself, like a specimen tree in the park, so that nobody can get near
him? If a man wants a girl to like him he should be nice to her, and not
require an introduction every time they meet."

Felicia sighed: her sweet, placid nature was apt to be overpowered by
Elisabeth's rapid changes of front. "But he used to be so fond of you,"
she expostulated feebly.

Elisabeth shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, I suppose he likes me now, in his
cold, self-satisfied way: it isn't that. What I complain of is that he
doesn't admire me enough, and I do so love to be admired."

"Do you mean he doesn't think you are pretty?" Felicia always had to
have things fully explained to her; excess of imagination could never
lead her astray, whatever it might do to her friend.

"Of course not; I don't see how he could, considering that I'm not:
women don't expect men to admire them for things that they don't
possess," replied Elisabeth, who had still much to learn. "What I mean
is he doesn't realize how clever I am--he despises me just as he used to
despise me when I was a little girl and he was a big boy--and that is
awfully riling when you know you are clever."

"Is it? I would much rather a man liked me than thought I was clever."

"I wouldn't; anybody can like you, but it takes a clever person to
appreciate cleverness. I have studied myself thoroughly, and I have
come to the conclusion that I need appreciation far more than affection:
I'm made like that."

"I don't understand you. To me affection is everything, and I can not
live without it. If people are really fond of me, they can think me as
stupid as they like."

Elisabeth's face grew thoughtful; she was always interested in the
analysis of herself and her friends. "How different we two are! I
couldn't forgive a person for thinking me stupid, even if I knew that
person adored me. To me no amount of affection would make up for the
lack of appreciation. I want to be understood as well as liked, and that
is where Christopher and I come across each other; he never understands
me in the least. Now that is why Mr. Tremaine and I get on so well
together; he understands and appreciates me so thoroughly."

Felicia's pretty month fell into stern lines of disapproval. "I am sure
I should hate Mr. Tremaine if I knew him," she said.

"Oh, no, you wouldn't--you simply couldn't, Felicia, he is so
delightful.